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REPORT 



SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS J. W. POWELL AND G. W. INGALLS. 



Washington, D. C, December 18, 1873. 

Sir : The Special Commission appointed for examining into the condition of the Utes 
of Utah ; Pai-Utes of Utah, Northern Arizona, Southern Nevada, and Southeastern 
California; the Go-si Utes of Utah and Nevada; the Northwestern Shoshonees of 
Idaho and Utah ; and the Western Shoshonees of Nevada ; and for the purpose of 
consulting with them concerning the propriety of their removal to reservations, would 
respectfully submit the following report : 

The commission was delayed a number of days by snows that blockaded the railroads 
over the mountains, but arrived in Salt Lake City early in May. 

At that time there was much excitement in the country, consequent on the disastrous 
conflict with the Modocs. 

The commission found that the feelings of the white people inhabiting the territory 
under consideration were wrought to a high state of resentment, which frequently 
found vent in indignities on the Indians, while the latter were terrified, and many of 
them had fled to the mountains for refuge. 

Immediately on our arrival at the city, delegations from various parts of the country 
nut us. representing that the Indians of their several neighborhoods were preparing to 
commence a war of extermination against (Ik; whites; and several petitions from the 
citizens of different places, to the military authorities of that department, the governor 
of Utah, and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, representing that the people were in 
immediate peril, and calling for military protection, were referred to the Commission. 

Under these circumstances, the Commiss. oners proceeded to investigate the state of 
affairs in the Sanpete Valley, Curlew Valley, Cache Valley, and on Deep Creek. 

It was soon found that the fears of the white settlers were groundless, and that the 
Indians themselves were much more terrified than the whites. 

In the mean time the Commission sent for delegations of Indians representing the 
tribes of Utes, < Jo-si Utes, Northwestern Shoshonees, and Western Shoshonees; and after 
meeting a number of these delegations at its camp near Salt Lake City, such informa- 
tion was obtained as led to a request for further conference with the Department con- 
cerning the best course to be pursued with these Indians in the light of the facts thus 
obtain id. 

In consequence of such request, one of the special commissioners, Mr. J. W. Powell, 
was instructed to report to the Department at Washington. 

On his arrival, the following statement to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs was 
made : 

Washington, D. C, June 18, 1873. 
To the honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs: 

Sir : Your attention is respectfully called to the following statement of the condition 
of the Indians inhabiting Utah, Nevada, Southern Idaho, Northern Arizona, and South- 
eastern California, who are not yet collected on reservations. 

These Indians are Utes, Pai-Utes, Go-si Utes, Northwestern Shoshonees, Western 
Shoshonees, and Pa-vi-6-tsoes, (designated in the Indian reports as Pah-Utes.) 

Of the Utes not on reservation there are two principal tribes, the Pah-vauts and 
Seuv-a-rits. The Pah-vants are on Coru Creek, near Fillmore, iu Utah Territory, and 
in tlie report of the Commissioner of ludiau Affairs for lf72 are estimated to number 
1,200. These Indians are under a chief named Ka-nosh ; they subsist by cultivating 
the soil to a limited extent, by gathering seeds, fruit, and roots, and also by hunting ; 
but chiefly by begging from the white settlers of the country. 

Their condition is better than that of any other of the Indians under consideration. 
The chief, Ka-nosh, is an ludiau of great ability and wisdom, and is doing all he can 
to induce his people to cultivate the soil. 

He not only raises grain enough for himself and family, but usually has a quantity 
to sell, from which he derives a respectable revenue. His influence is not coufiueu to 

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the tribe over which be has immediate command, but extends to a greater or less ex- 
tent over must oi tbe Indians of Central Utah, 

Tbe Senv-a-rits inhabit tbe country between tbe Sanpete and Seviei Valleys, on the 
west, and the Green and Colorado Rivers on tbe east. 

No definite information has beep obtained concerning the number of this tribe. 

In the fall of lb71, one of your Commissioners met a party of them on the banks of 
the Sevier, and counted thirty-one lodges. 

These people live by hunting and fishing, and collect seeds and fruits. They are 
well mounted, arc a wild, daring people, and very skillful in border warfare-. It may 
be safely stated that for the last ten years they have subsisted chiefly on the spoils of 
war. In their raids they have been associated with the Nav-a-jos and Utes, who in- 
habit the country to the east of the Colorado River. 

The Pai-Utes inhabit Southern Utah, Southern Nevada, Northern Arizona, and 
Southeastern California. 

There is a small tribe in the vicinity of Beaver, and another at Palawan, whose 
numbers are unknown. 

A third tribe is usually found encamped somewhere in the vicinity of Cedar. 

The principal chief of the Pai-Utes of Utah, Tau-gu, usually remains with this tribe. 

In the winter of 1871-'2 the tribe was visited by one of your Commissioners, and 
forty-three lodges were counted. 

There is a tribe in Long Valley, numbering about 125 persons, and one in Kauab 
Valley, numbering 107. There are a few Indians on the Paria River, wdioso numbers 
are unknown, and there is a small tribe on the eastern side of the Colorado, near the 
line between Utah and Arizona, numbering 47. 

The U-iu-kar-ets, dwelling among the U-in-kar-et Mountains in Northern Arizona, 
number about 60. 

The Sheav-wits inhabit the Sheav-wit plateau in Northern Arizona, and number 
about 180. 

The tribes of Pai-Utes thus enumerated are such as have not been heretofore included 
in the report of the Pioche Agency. Of the remainder who properly belong to that 
agency, and whoinhabit Southwestern Utah, Southern Nevada, Southeastern California, 
and Northern Arizona, your Commissioners have but little more knowledge than is 
already before the Department. It is sufficient to state that they are scattered in small 
tribes, and hold allegiance to many petty chiefs. 

All the Pai-Utes subsist in part by cultivating the soil, some of them raising the 
grain and vegetables introduced by white men, others cultivating native seeds. 

They also collect uncultivated seeds, fruits, and roots. A few of them occasionally 
work for white men, and they also depend very largely on begging, and are a serious 
burden to white settlers. 

The Go-si Utes live in the vicinity of Salt Lake and the valleys extending to the 
west as far as the Nevada line. They probably number four hundred persons. 

Some of them are cultivating small patches of ground ; one band in Skull Valley, 
one at Deep Creek, another at Warm Springs, and another at Salt Marsh, near the Ne- 
vada line. 

They also gather seeds and fruits, dig roots and hunt a little, but chiefly subsist by 
begging. A few of them are occasionally employed by white men. 

The. western band of Shoshonces, in the reports Heretofore made to the Depart- 
ment, have been overestimated for Utah and underestimated for Nevada, with regard 
to their number and distribution. Your attention is called to the accompanying state- 
ment made by Mr. Gheen, and marked A.* 

After carefully examining the paper and conferring with a number of the principal 
chiefs and leading men of the Western Shoshonces, the statement is believed to be 
substantially correct. 

These Indians are cultivating the soil to a very limited extent. Some of them are 
employed by white men as herders and in other labors. They gather seeds and fruits, 
dig roots, hunt and fish, and eke out a miserable subsistence by begging. 

Of the number of the Northwestern bands Of Shoshonces, your Commission have no 
trustworthy information. Their condition does not differ materially from the Western 
Shoshonees. They are also divided into small tribes, several of which we have 
visited. 

Of the Pa-vi-o-tsoes, or Pah-Utcs, of Western Nevada, we have obtained information 
of three or four hundred who do not report to either of the reservations on Walker 
River or Pyramid Lake. Their condition is substantially the same as that of the Sho- 
shonees. 

Of theWash-oes, mentioned in the report of the Department, we have no definite 
information. 

The Indians mentioned in the foregoing statement appreciate that they can no 
longer live by hunting, fishing, and gathering the native products of the soil. 

* This statoiueut lias bees omitted, an a more correct enumeration lias been made. 



They folly understand that the settlement of the country by white men is inevitable, 
and know the folly of contending against it; and they earnestly ask that they may 
have lands of their own and be assisted to become farmers and stock-raisers, but especi- 
ally do they ask that they may have cattle. 

During the last few weeks that the Commission has been among these Indians, it has 
conferred with many of their chiefs and principal men. One of your Commissioners, 
as agent for the Pai-Utes, for the past year has traveled among a number of the tribes, 
and the other Commissioner, having been in charge of an exploring expedition for sev- 
eral years, has met and conferred with numbers of these Indians from time to time, 
and invariably they have expressed the sentiments given above. Their hunting- 
grounds have been spoiled, their favorite valleys are occupied by white men, and they 
are compelled to scatter in small bands in order to obtain subsistence. Formerly they 
were organized into nations, or confederacies, under the influence of great chiefs, but 
such men have lost their power in the presence of white men, and it is no longer possi- 
ble to treat with these people as nations, but each little tribe must be dealt with sepa- 
rately. The broad territory over which they are scattered has been parcelled out 
among the tribes by common consent, usually determined at general councils, so that 
each tribe holds a certain district of country as its own. 

Now the most important difficulty in the way of collecting these people on reserva- 
tions, is the fact that each small tribe desires to have a reservation somewhere within 
the limits of its own territory, which is manifestly impracticable, as the Indians could 
not thus be protected in their rights, except at a great expense. 

In the instructions furnished your commissioners for the collection of these Indians, 
two methods were given, the one to take the Indians on reservations already estab- 
lished, and, failing in this, the other was to set apart new reservations for them. 

After a careful examination of the facts, it is found that the last-mentioned method 
is entirely impracticable, as, within the bounds of the territory over which these tribes 
roam, there is no district of country with sufficient water and other natural facilities 
for a reservation, not already occupied by white men. In fact, the lands along the 
streams and almost every important spring has either been entered or claimed, and 
should the Government attempt to purchase such lands for the benefit of the Indians, 
it would be found to involve a great outlay of money, as water rights and improve- 
ments are justly held at very high prices. 

Nothing then remains but to remove them from the country, or let them stay in their 
present condition, to be finally extinguished by want, loathsome disease, and the dis- 
asters consequent upon incessant conflict with white men. 

In view of the removal and distribution of these Indians to the old reservations, 
four important questions were presented to the commission, namely : 

First. Are the reservations for the adjacent tribes capable of properly supporting an 
increased number of Indians? 

Second. Would the treaty stipulations with the Indians thus located permit an addi- 
tion to their numbers, and would they consent to it? 

Third. Would the treaty stipulations with the Indians under consideration permit 
of their removal ? 

Fourth. What division of the roaming tribes do their linguistic and other affinities 
dictate ? 

The facts in answer to these questions, so far as they are known to the commission, 
are as follows: 

The reservation on the Muddy is well known to both of the commissioners. There 
is some good land and plenty of water ; there are no valuable hunting grounds on the 
reservation, or in the vicinity, but there are streams from which a greater or less sup- 
ply of fish can be taken ; and the natural products of the soil, which are somewhat 
abundant, would be of value as a source of partial subsistence until they could learn 
to farm for themselves. The timber is distant from the district where the farms must 
necessarily be made, but the climate is good for southern Indians, and the reservation 
will always be isolated from other settlements. Altogether the situation is good and 
sufficient. 

The reservation on the Uintah is well known to one of your commissioners. There is 
an abundance of good soil, plenty of water, and convenient timber. The climate is 
good for the growth of smaller grains and vegetables, but not favorable to the raising 
of corn. Good range for cattle is practically unlimited — in fact, there is room euough 
for all the Indians of Utah. 

Perhaps there is no finer valley than the Uintah in the territory of the United States 
west of the hundredth meridian. 

The commission having uo knowledge of the capabilities of the Fort Hall reservation, 
one of the commissioners, Mr. G. W. Ingalls, made a special trip for the purpose of 
examining it. It was found that there was abundance of good land, plenty of water, 
good and extensive range for grazing, and an ample supply of timber for the Indians 
already located there, and all of the Shoshonees of Utah and Nevada in addition. 

But little is knowu by the commissiou of the resources of the reservations at Walker 



River and Pyramid Lake, bnl from such information as has been received it is believed 
they are inadequate to the wants of the Indians already collected there. 

The facts relating to the second question are these: No treaties have been made 
with the Indians concerning the reservation on the Muddy. The treaty made with the 
U tea concerning the Uintah reservation provided for the gathering -of all the tribes of 
I lull in thai valley, bnt it was never ratified by the Senate, and although the Indians 
are then- as they suppose under the stipulations of the treaty, it is not recognized as 
binding by the Government of the United States. The principal chiefs on the reserva- 
tion state their willingness and desire that the other Utes should be united with them. 

Bj tin- treaties made with the Shoshonees and Bannocks concerning the reservation 
at Wind River and Fori Hall, it is stipulated that they are made not only for these 
Indians bul " For such other friendly tribes or individual Indians as from time to time 
they may lie willing, with the consent of the United States, to admit amongst them.'' 

With regard to the third question, " Would the treaty stipulations with the Indians 
under consideration permit of their removal ?" It appears that there are no recognized 
treat] stipulations existing with the Utes and Pah-Utes. 

A treaty was concluded October 12, 1863, with the Go-si Utes in which it was espe- 
cially pro\ Ided as follows : 

Article 6th. ••The said hand agree that whenever the President of the United States 
shall deem it expedient for them to abandon the roaming life which they now lead, and 
become settled as herdsmen or agriculturists, he is hereby authorized to make such 
reservations for their use as he may deem necessary; and they do also agree to remove 
their camps to such reservations as he may indicate, and to reside and remain thereon." 
So that the Go-si Utes may he required to go on a reservation wherever and whenever 
the President directs. 

A treaty was concluded October 1, 18G3, with the western bands of Shosbones from 
which we extract article 6th, viz: 

" The said bands agree that whenever the President of the United States shall (teem 
it expedient for them to abandon the roaming life which they now lead, and become 
herdsmen and agriculturists, he is hereby authorized to make such reservations for 
then use as he may deem necessary, within the country above described ; and they do 
also hereby agree to remove their camps to such reservations as be may indicate and 
to reside or remain thereon." 

It is thus seen that they can also be called to a reservation by the will of the Presi- 
dent, but such reservation must be within certain boundaries, as described in article 
5th, viz: 

■■ It is understood that the boundaries of the country claimed and occupied by said 
bands an- defined and described by them as follows: On the north by the Wong-go-ga- 
da .Mountains and Shoshone River Valley ; on the west by the Sei-uon-to-yah Mountains 
or Smith Creek Mountains; on the south by Wi-co-bah and the Colorada Desert ; on 
the east by Pa-ha-no-be Valley or Step-toe Valley, and Great Salt Lake Valley." 

Viur commissioners are in some, doubt as to where these boundaries are situated, but 
believe they include the Fort Hall Indian reservation. 

By the treaty concluded with the northwestern bands of Shoshones at Box Elder, 
in the Territory of Utah, on the 13th day of July, 1863, it is stipulated as follows: 

Article 2d. " The treaty c tluded at fort Bridger on the second day of July, 1863, 

between the I'nited States and the Shoshone nation being read and fully interpreted 
and explained to the said chiefs and warriors, they do hereby give their full and free 
B&senl to all of the provisions of said treaty, and the same are hereby adopted as a part 
of this agreement, and the same shall be binding on the parties hereto." 

In the treaty made at Fort Bridger, to which this article alludes, the following pro- 
visions are foiiud, 

•'Article •». The I'nited States further agrees that the following district of country, to 
wit: commencing at the mouth ofowl Creek and running due south to the crest of 
the divide between the Sweet Water and Pa-po-a-gie Rivers; thence along the west 
of said divide and the summit of Wind Rivet Mountain to the longitude of North 
Foi 1. of Wind River : thence due north to nth of said North fork and up its chan- 
nel to a point twenty miles above its mouth ; thence in astraight line to headwaters 
of Owl Creek, and along middle channel of Owl Creek to place of beginning, shall be. 
and the Bame ia, set apart forthe absolute and undisturbed use ami occupation of Sho- 
*bonc Indians herein named, and for such other friendly tribes or individual Indians 
as from time to time they may be willing, with the consent of the United States. 

to admit amongst them." 

The 1 idarTes of this resen at ion have been i trailed by a subsequent treaty. 

It will thus lie -en that the Northwestern Shoshones are under treaty obligations 
to settle on tbo Wind River reservation, but as a part of the Shoshone.-, are already 
at Fort Mall, it might possibly be more agreeable to the bands under consideration to 
go tie re. 

From the information which your commissioners have received it is believed that it 
will in- ii' 1 1 .n> to remove the Pah Utes oi Pa \ i o tsoee from the Walker River aud 



Pyramid Lake reservations to some better point, as tbe resources of the territory they 
now occupy are inadequate to their want. 

The United States Indian agent, in charge of the reservation at Fort Hall, informs 
your commission that he believes that the Indians now at that place would raise no 
serious objection to the removal of the uncollected Shoshones to that place. 

The rights and obligations of the Indians under consideration have been thus care- 
fully examined that no unjust cause of complaint might arise. 

With regard to the fourth question, " What division of the roaming tribes do their 
linguistic and other affinities indicate?" much has yet to be learned. 

The names by which the tribes are known to white men aud the Department give 
no clue to the relationship of the Indians; for example, the Indians in the vicinity of 
the reservation on the Muddy, and the Indians on the Walker River and Pyramid Lake 
reservations are called Fai or Pah Utes, but the Indians know only those on the Muddy 
by that name, while those on the other two reservations are known as Pa-vi-o-tsoes, 
and speak a very different language, but closely allied to, if not ideutical with that of 
the Bannocks. 

The Indians of Utah and Nevada, known as Shoshonesby the whites, are known by 
very different names by the Indians. 

The two tribes mentioned above, Pah- vants and Senv-a-rits, speak the same language, 
aud are intermarried with the Indians on the Uintah reservations, and should be taken 
there. 

The Go-si Utes speak a language more nearly like that of the Indians at Fort Hall, 
but they are intermarried and affiliate with the Indians at the Uintah reservation, and 
it is believed they would prefer to go there also. 

The tribes of Pai-Utes, mentioned in the former part, should be taken to the Muddy. 

Of the Western Shoshones, Northwestern Shoshonees, Pa-vi-o-tsoes, and Washoes, 
sufficient is not yet known to reach a conclusion on this matter. 

Whenever these Indians are gathered on reservations it will be necessary to make 
provision for their subsistence, until such time as they can take care of themselves, as 
it would be impossible for them to live upon the native products found on the reserva- 
tions. 

To take them there and have them scatter again would be to put them in a condition 
worse than they are now in, and it would probably be more difficult to induce them to 
return. 

The appropriations made by the last Congress for the support of the present reser- 
vations, to which these people should be taken, are entirely insufficient for the support 
of the Indians who are already on them, and they are compelled to leave their reserva- 
tions during a part of the year to obtain a living. 

Under these circumstances, your commissioners did not deem that it would be wise 
to remove any of the Indians at present, aud they submit this stateineut of the condi- 
tion of affairs for your consideration. 

Having in view the ultimate removal of all the foregoing Indians to reservations 
already established, the following recommendations are made : 

First. That the Pah-vauts and Seuv-a-rits be visited and informed that the Govern- 
ment of the United States has decided that they shall make their homes on the Uintah 
reservation, and that hereafter no goods will be issued to them at any other place. 

Secoud. That the tribes of Pai-Utes shall be visited, and, if possible, a number of the 
chiefs and principal men be induced to visit the Uintah reservation, with a view to 
their final settlement at that place. 

Should the commission find it impossible to induce them to look upon such aremoval 
with favor, it should then make a thorough examination into the condition of atfairs on 
the Muddy reservation, aud report the results to the Department. 

The agent for that reservation should immediately commence work and prepare to 
raise a crop the coming year to such an extent as the appropriation aud circumstauces 
on the reservation will permit. 

In the meantime, two or three reliable men should be employed by the commission to 
collect the Western Shoshones at three or more points, where they could be visited 
by the commission aud their annuities distributed to them, and they be informed of the 
decision of the Department, that they are to go on reservations, and that hereafter no 
annuities will be distributed to them except at the designated reservation or reserva- 
tions. 

The same course should be taken with the Go-si Utes. 

The Northwestern Shoshones should be assembled to meet tbe commission at Fort 
Hall, aud, when there, their annuities should begiveu them, and they should be informed 
that the Fort Hall reservation is to be their future home, and that hereafter no annui- 
ties will be given them at any other place. 

One of your commissioners can communicate with a part of the Indians in their own 
tongue, and Mr. Glieeu, who is already in the service of the United States in Nevada, 
speaks the Shoshone language, but it wili still be necessary to have one more inter- 



prefer, as the commission most necessarily be divided, anil three or four parties organ- 
ized to leach all the tribes in one season. 

It is therefore recommended that Richard Komas, a native Ute.nowa student in 
Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, be employed tor this purpose. 

Should these suggestions meet with your approval, il would he necessary to have the 
annuities for the Western Shoshoiies, Xor'h western Shoshones, and Go-si Utes, placed 
to the order of the commission. 
Very respectfully, 

J. W. POWELL, 
G. W. INGALLS, 
U. S. Special Commission. 
The Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 

Washington, D. C. 



Ou June 2G the following instructions were received : 

Department of the Interior, 

Office of Indian Affairs, 

Washington, D. C, June 25, 1873. 
Sir : I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, with a statement 
in detail of the present condition of the Indians in Utah, Nevada, and Southern Idaho, 
who have not yet been collected ou reservations. 

With a view to the ultimate removal of said Indians to such reservations as have 
already been established, you recommend as follows : 

1st. That the Pah-vants and Seuvarits be visited and informed that the Government 
has decided that they shall make their homes on the Uintah reservation, and that here- 
after no goods will he issued to them at any other place. 

2d. That some of the chiefs and principal men of the Pai-Ute tribe be induced to 
visit the Uintah reservation and encouraged to make their homes at that place ; and in 
case it should he found impossihle to induce them to look with favor upon a removal 
to that point, theu to make a thorough examination as to the condition of affairs on 
the muddy reservation and report the result to the Department, preparations in the 
meantime heing made for raising a crop the comiug year to such au extent as circum- 
stances will permit. 

3d. That two or three reliable men be employed by the commission to collect the 
Western Shoshones at three or more points, where they can he visited by the commis- 
sion and their annuities distributed to them, and that they be informed of the decision 
of the Department that they must go on reservations, and that hereafter no annuities 
will he distributed to them except at the reservation assigned to them ; the same course 
to be taken with the Go-ship Utes. 

4th. That the Northwestern Shoshones be assembled to meet the commission at 
Fort Hall, Idaho, to receive their annuities, and that they bo informed that Fort Hall 
reservation is to be their future home, and that no annuities will he given them at any 
other place. 

5th. That Richard Komas, of Pennsylvania, be employed as interpreter to the com- 
mission ; and 

6th. That the annuities of the Western Shoshones, Northwestern Shoshones, and 
Go-ship band of Utes be placed at the disposal of the commission. 

The above recommendations meet with the approval of the Department, and you are 
hereby authorized to carry the same into effect. 

lusi Mictions will be issued to Colonel Morrow, at Salt Lake City, Utah, to transfer to 
you the annuity goods referred to in your letter. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

EDW. P. SMITH, 

Commissioner. 

J. W. POWKIX, Esq., 

Special Commissioner, 4c, Present. 

While Special Commissioner Powell was thus engaged at Washington, Special Com- 
missioner Ingalls visited a pail of the Northwestern Slioshonees in Coche Valley, and, 
returning from this expedition, made a trip to the Pai-Ute reservation in Southern Ne- 
vada. The special commission met again in Salt Lake City. 

In obedience to the instructions received, the commission then proceeded through 
the Tei ritory of Utah to its southern line, visiting a cumber of tribes on the way, tak- 
ing wit h t hem a quant ily of goods to be distributed to the several tribes as they should 
be nut from tunc to time. 



Sometimes the commissioners traveled in company, at other times they separated 
for the purpose of facilitating their operations. 

Ou this trip many of the Indians belonging to the Uintah agency were visited, es- 
pecially the Seu-a-rits, as some anxiety had been entertained lest these Indians should 
again commence their depredations on the settlements. It was found that they had of 
their own accord given up their marauding life, and they signified their willingness to 
go on a reservation and adopt the habits of civilized men. The reasons which thev 
assigned for so doing were very interesting. 

They stated that their people had been dying very fast of late years, so that their 
numbers were greatly reduced, and they were specially terrified ou account of some 
disease which had carried oft" more than twenty of their number in less than a week, 
only a short time before the commission met them. 

Some of their people attributed this to sorcery practiced by other Indians, others to 
sorcery practiced by the white inhabitants of Utah, but the great majority seemed to 
consider it a punishment for the petty wars which they had waged of late years. 
Whatever the cause, they had determined to abandon the country, and part of them 
were about to join the Utes of the Uintah reservation, another to join the Pah-vants, 
another the Pai-Utes near the head of the Sevier, and a fourth the Utes of Colorado. 
They were informed that the Government of the United States expected them to go 
on the reservation at Uintah. 

The Pah-vants were next visited at Corn Creek, near Fillmore. This tribe was found 
to be much smaller, and the people in a much more destitute condition than had been 
represented to the commission. 

Ka-nosh, the principal chief, is an elder brother of Pi-au-ump, principal chief of the 
Go-si Utes, and the Pah-vants and Go-si Utes, although speaking different languages, 
affiliate socially, and often go on their hunting excursions in compauy. 

From this point an Indian runner was sent to bring Pi-au-ump and a number of 
Go-si Ute chiefs to confer with Ka-nosh and such other Indians as might be collected 
here, in regard to the propriety of their all going to the reservation at Uintah. 

This runner was successful in bringing iu the desired Indians, so that the Go-si 
Utes were well represented at the consultation held at Ka-nosh's camp. 

They remained with the commissioners several days, aud great pains were taken to 
explain to them the intention of the Government in collecting Indians on reservations. 
The result of this talk was very satisfactory. 

In obedience to the first part of the second clause of their instructions, viz : " That 
some of the chiefs and principal men of Pai-Utes be induced to visit Uintah reservation, 
and encouraged to make, their homes at that place," the commission sent for Tau-gu, 
the principal chief of the Pai-Utes, of Utah and Northern Arizona, aud a number of 
subordinate chiefs. The only ones who could be induced to meet it were Tau-gu aud 
Mo-ak-Shin-au-av, chief of the U-ai-Nn-ints, who live in the vicinity of Saint George. 
They informed the commission that, induced by considerations presented to them in 
former conversations, they had held a geueral council for the purpose of consulting 
about the propriety of going to Uintah, and the suggestion had been repelled by all 
the people, and there was no voice raised in favor of their going. They averred that 
the Utesof Uintah had been their enemies from time immemorial; had stolen their 
women and children ; had killed their grandfathers, their fathers, their brothers and 
sous, and, worse than all, were profoundly skilled in sorcery, aud that uuder no con- 
sideration would the Pai-Utes live with them. 

It was found that it was impossible, without using force, to induce the Pai-Utes to 
join the Utes, and it was determined to adopt the course indicated in the alternative 
presented iu your instruction, viz : " Aud in case it should be found impossible to in- 
duce them to look with favor upou a removal to that point, then to make a thorough 
examination as to the condition of affairs iu the Muddy reservation, and report the re- 
sult to the Department." 

The commission then proceeded to visit in detail all the Pai-Ute tribes of Utah and 
Northern Arizona, viz, Kwi-um-pus, Pa-ru-guns, Un-ka-pa, Nu-kwints, Pa-spi-kai-vats, 
Un-ka-ka-ni-guts, Pa-gu-its, Kai-vwav-uai Nu-iuts, U-in-ka-rei.s, and Shi-vwits. 

There- is a small tribe of Pai-Utes in Northern Arizona, on the east side of the Colo- 
rado River, known as Kwai-an-ti-kwok-ets, which was not visited by the commission. 
This little band lives in a district so far away from the route of travel that your com- 
mission did not think it wise to occupy the time and incur the expense necessary to 
visit them in their homes. 

Finally, delegations of all these tribes were collected at Saint George for general 
consultation, concerning the reservation for the Pai-Utes in Southern Nevada. The 
result of this talk was, in the main, satisfactory, aud a delegation was sent by them to 
go with the commission to see the couutry. 

From Saint George the commission proceeded to the reservation on the Mo-a-pa, 
(Muddy,) arriving there September 10, and here met about 400 Pai-Utes who had 
previously been collected in the valley. It remained eleven days for the purpose of 
conferring with the Indians already here, and with such delegations from other tribes 



as could be induced to meel hero. Quite a number of conferences were held with the 
Indians, both by day and by night. Cur more than a week. The conclusion of all was, 
thai the Indians on the reservation were willing that the other tribes should uuite 
witli them, and the delegations representing I lie tribes away were I'a vol ably impressed 
with the country, and promised that the Indians would ail come to the reservation 
another year, on condition that the Government would provide temporarily for their 
maintenance, and give them such aid as might be necessary to establish them as agri- 
culturists. 

Arrangements were then made by which the Indians on the reservation were enabled 
to plant a tall crop. 

Your commission had also another duty to perform here, viz, to inquire into the 
nature and amount of the claims of the present white, settlers on the reservation. 

This duty they performed with a desire to protect the Government against unjust 
claims, ami at the same time to do no injustice to the claimauts themselves. 

The result of their investigations into these matters are given in a subjoined report. 

'flic commission remained on the reservation fourteen days, busily employed in the 
duties above mentioned. 

In the meantime, it provided that the annuity goods for the Go-si Utes, Western 
Shoshones, and North western Shoshones, should be distributed and stored at a number 
of points in Utah and Nevada, and that information should be carried to the several 
tribes that the commission would meet them at designated points. 

In view of the extent of country yet to be traversed, and the number of Indians yet 
to be met, it was thought best for the commission to divide here, and Special Commis- 
sioner Powell proceeded to carry on the work with the Pai-Utes in Southwestern 
Nevada and Southeastern California, and Special Commissioner Ingalls to the Western 
Shoshones of Western Nevada. 

The work to the southwest was continued until all the Pai-Utes had been seen. 
Special Commissioner Powell returned by way of the Mo-a-pa reservation, Saint George, 
and Fillmore to Salt Lake City. On bis way, in the vicinity of Beaver, the Pah-vauts, 
who were out on a hunting excursion, were again met, and another long consultation 
was held with their chief, Ka-uosh. 

Special Commissioner Ingalls proceeded by way of Pah-rau-a-gat Valley to Hot Creek, 
meeting there a number of Western Shoshones, and from thence to Belmont, where a 
number of other tribes were met. From Belmont he returned to Hot Creek, and from 
thence proceeded to Hamilton, Egau Canon, Spring Valley, and Deep Creek, to Salt 
Lake City, meeting a number of tribes at each place. On this hurried trip the work 
was not completed. All of the annuity goods to be distributed to the Shoshones had 
not arrived at the points at which they were to have been distributed, and some of 
the Indians of the vicinity of Hamilton had not assembled. It was therefore neces- 
sary for Special Commissioner Ingalls to return to Hamilton and Egau Canon, which he 
did, and on the completion of the work at those places proceeded to Corinne, Utah, 
where he was met b\ T Commissioner Powell. 

Under their instructions the commission should have met the Northwestern Shosho- 
nes at Fort Hall, but a number of circumstances conspired to prevent this. It was 
found that a part of them, under a chief named Po-ka-tel-lo, had already gone to Fort 
Hall, and had signified their intention of remaining and taking part with the Shosho- 
nes and Bannocks on that reservation ; and another chief named Tav-i-wuu-she-a, 
with a small band had gone to the Shoshone reservation on Wind River, and they had 
determined to cast their lot with Wash-i-ki and his men. Each of these chiefs sent 
word that they had taken this course, governed by representations made by the com- 
mission in the spring, and they desired that it should so represent the matter to the 
agents on those reservations that these people might meet with proper consideration. 
Two other bands, one under San-pits, the other under Sai-gwits, had refused to go to 
Fort Hall, and were encamped near Corinne, and had sent a delegation to request the 
commission to meet them at that point. The lateness of the season, and the limited 
amount of funds at the command of the commission, caused it to decide that it was 
impracticable to send the goods to Fort Hall and to collect the Indians there for the 
distribution, and the two last mentioned tribes were met near Corinne. 

Leaving Special Commissioner Powell at that place to complete the distribution aud 
to talk with the Indians, Special Commissioner Ingalls proceeded to Elko to meet the 
remainder of the Western Shoshones, who had, in the mean time, been collected at 
that point by assistants of the commission. 

A delegation of the Western Shoshones, representing the tribes that assembled at 
Elko, another delegation of the Northwestern Shoshones assembled at Corinne, aud 
a delegation of the Go-si Utes were brought to Salt Lake City for the purpose of con- 
ferring with another special commission composed of Hon. J. P. C. Shanks, Governor 
'I'. \V. Bennett, and II. W. Reed, conoerning the reservation at Fort Hall. The result 
of tin- conference was very favorable. The commissioners then returned to Washing- 
ton, arriving bere December I. 

This brief history of the operations of the commission will be followed by a state- 
ment of the general results obtained. 



ORGANIZATION, ENUMERATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE TRIBES. 

Your commission deemed it a matter of prime importance to make a complete enu- 
meration of the tribes visited, and to obtain a thorough knowledge of their organiza- 
tion and condition. Of the Utes, Pah-vants, Go-si Utes, and Northwestern Shosho- 
nes they are enabled to make what they believe to be an accurate statement of their 
numbers. 

The census of the Western Shoshones is believed to be a fair approximation. The 
latter tribes are more or less disorganized, and in some places their tribal relations are 
entirely broken up, and they arc scattered overalarge district of country, and it would 
have required at least an additional month, and a corresponding expenditure, to have 
made the work as thorough with them as with the other tribes. 

The original political organization of the tribes under consideration had a territorial 
basis ; (hat is, the country was divided into districts, and each district was inhabited 
by a small tribe, which took the name of the laud, and had one principal chief. These 
tribes, or " land-uameds," as they are called in the Indian idiom, were the only perma- 
nent organizations, but sometimes two or more of them would uuite in a confederacy 
under some great chief. 

The following table exhibits the names of these tribes, the number of men, women, 
and children, severally and in total, and also the laud-name of the tribe, its locality, 
chief, and, wherever a confederacy exists, the principal chief of such organization. 
The numbers in the left-hand column refer to corresponding numbers on the accom- 
panying map, the latter numbers indicating the region of eouutry severally claimed by 
the tribes. 



10 



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13 

RECAPITULATION. 

The Pai-Utea of Utah number 528 

The Utes of Utah number 556 

The Pah-van ts of Utah number 134 

The Go-si Utes of Utah number 256 

Total number of Indians in Utah 1 474 

The Pai-Utes of Arizona number 284 

The Pai-Utes of Southern Nevada number -1,031 

The (Jo-si Utes of Nevada number 204 

The Western Shoshonees of Nevada number 1,945 

Total number of Indians in Nevada met by the commission 3,180 

The Northwestern .Shoshonees of Idaho number 400 

The Pai-Utes of Southeastern California number 1S4 

Total number of Indians visited by the commission 5, 522 

There is another confederacy, known as Chem-a-hue-vis, that inhabit the Chem-a- 
hue'-vis Valley on the Lower Colorado. Their country is separated from that of the Pai- 
Utes in the above table by the region inhabited by the Mojave Indians. These Chem- 
a-hue-vis speak the, same language as the Pai-Utes, and claim that they formerly lived 
among them. They still associate with the Pai-Utes farther north in California and 
at Cottonwood Island, and are intermarried with them. 

A delegation of these Indians met the commission at the Vegas, in Nevada. Thoy esti- 
mate the whole number of Indians belonging to the confederacy at about 300, aud this 
is believed to be approximately correct. 

The Indians of Western Nevada belonging to the Pyramid Lake aud Walker River 
reservations are known as Pah-Utes and Pai-Utes in the records of the Indian Depart- 
ment. They should lie known as Pa-vi-o-tsoes, as this is the name by which they 
know themselves, and by which they are known throughout the surrounding tribes. 
They are properly a branch of the Bannocks. 

In Western Nevada, and on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas in California, 
there are a number of Indians known as Ko-eats, Pan'-a-mints, &e. They are known 
to speak languages of the same stock as the Pai-Utes, Shoshoues, and Pa-vi-o-tsoes. 

PAI-UTES. 

CONDITION AM) WANTS. 

Of the Indians known as Pai-Utes there are thirty-one tribes. Ten of these are 
united in a confederacy, having for their principal chief, Tau-gu'. 

The Kwa-au'-ti-kwok-ets, who live on the eastern side of the Colorado River, are 
Dearly isolated from the other tribes, aud affiliate to a greater or less extent with the 
Navajos. 

Seven other tribes of Pai-Utes are organized into a confederacy under the chief- 
taincy of To'-Shoap. 

The Pah-ran -i-gats were formerly three separate tribes, but their lands having been 
taken from Ihein by white men, they have united in one. tribe under An'-ti-av. 

In tin; same way the Indians of Meadow Valley were formerly four separate tribes, 
but now one, under Pa-gwmn'-pai-ats. 

Four other tribes are organized into a confederacy under the chieftaincy of Ku'-ni-kai'- 
vets, and seven under the chieftaincy of To-ko'-pur. 

The country inhabited by these Indians no longer affords game in sufficient quantities 
worthy to be mentioned as a part of their subsistance. A very few deer and moun- 
tain-sheep are killed, and a greater number of rabbits. The. principal part of their 
food is obtained by gathering seeds and digging roots. All of the tribes cultivate 
the soil to a limited extent, raising wheat, corn, beans, melons, and squashes. Some 
food and the greater part of their clothing is obtained by begging, the skins of such 
animals as they kill being entirely inadequate to their wants for this purpose. Some 
of them have, 'for a few years, received a small supply of clothing from the Govern- 
ment, through the agencies at Salt Lake City and Pioche. 

A few of the people occasionally work for white men, aud a great many of them are 
learning to speak the, English language ; especially is this true of the children. 

Prior to the settlement of the country by the white men they all cultivated the soil, 
and would do 80 now to an extent sufficient to obtain a living, if they had the lands in 
the districts of country which they severally occupy. Intact all these tribes, when 
met by the commission, asked for lands and cattle that they might become farmers; 
but each tribe desires to have some part of its original territory set apart for its use. 

After much talk with the commission aud much consultatiou among themselves, 



14 

they all agreed to come together on the reservation set apart for them by Executive 
order in the valley of the Mo'-a-pa on these conditions— that the Government will re- 
move the white Bottlers therefrom, and will assist them to remove their old people and 
children from their present to their prospective home on the reservation, and will as- 
sist them to become agriculturalists, and provide for their maintenance until such time 
as they can take care of themselves. 

Tlu m> conditions are reasonable aud just. There is no game on the reservation, and 
the native products are few, and it would be impossible for the Indians to live on the 
reservation' without assistance. It would be useless to take them there without at the 
same time providing for their support, as in such a case they would bo compelled at 
ouce to scatter again over the very country from whence they had been taken. 

RESERVATION ON THE MO'-A-PA. 

The reservation, though large in territory, is composed chiefly of arid, barren moun- 
tains and deserts of drifting sands. The only part of the valley fit for agricultural 
purposes is the few acres — not more than 6,000 — which can be redeemed by the use of 
the waters of the Mo'-a-pa, aud some grass-lands of no greater extent, for the climate 
is so arid that agricultural operations cannot be carried on without artificial irrigation. 

The reservation is between the 36th and 37th parallels of latitude : the climate is very 
warm, snow is never seen in the valley, and frost rarely. The part of the land which 
can be brought into cultivation by irrigation produces bountifully, and two crops can 
be raised in one season. Wheat, oats, barley, corn, sweet potatoes, cotton, and all the 
fruits of sub-tropical countries can be successfully raised, as has been demoustrated 
by the present white settlers. 

The census taken shows that there are 2,027 Pai-Utes. Adding to this number the 
Chein-a-hue-vis of .Southern California, about 300, and we have 2,327. 

It is the opinion of the commission that there is enough water m the Mo'-a-pa Creek 
to irrigate lands to an exteut sufficient to support that number of people for the pres- 
ent, but it would not be wise to take any greater number of Indians there. The 
Rio Virgeu, in its lower course, runs through the reservation, but the waters of this 
river are salt, and its whole course is over quicksands, and altogether the nature of 
the country is such that the stream cannot be controlled for purposes of irrigation, 
except to a very limited extent on the eastern margin of the reservation, and the ex- 
pense attending the management of the water would be very great. 

The boundaries of the reservation should be extended to the east to a point where 
the river emerges from the mountains through a canon. By this means the land avail- 
able for cultivation on the reservation could be increased to the extent of two or three 
thousand acres. (See general recommendations, page 29.) 

SALT. 

In the bluffs on the banks of the Eio Virgen, a short distance below the mouth of 
the Mo'-a-pa, there are extensive deposits of salt, iu many places very pure and easily 
accessible. It is probable that these salt-beds can be worked to some extent, and the 
products thereof made a source of revenue to the Iudiaus. 

CATTLE-RAISING. 

Jn the upper part of the valley of the Mo'-a-pa are the grass-lands above mentioned. 
In addition to these, along the dry benches on either side, and in a few places along 
the valley of the Virgen, there is a* scant supply of bunch-grass. Tho reservation does 
not afford extensive facilities for cattle-raising, though a few cows cau be kept with 
advantage. 

BUILDINGS. 

The buildings occupied by the present white settlers are of adobe covered with tales, 
a species of reed-like plants. They would be of great value for the immediate use of 
the employes and a part of the Indians. 

TIMBER. 

Within the present boundaries of the reservation there is no timber, but a short dis- 
tance beyond the western line a small amount of timber can be procured on the side of 
a mountain known as Cass Mountain. To prevent speculators bom seizing this for the 
purpose of selling it to the Government, the boundaries of the reservatiou should be 
extended so as to include the timber-tract. 

Hundreds of thousands of eottonwoods have been planted on the reservation, in 
pari by the present settlers, but chiefly by others who preceded them. These are 
making \ igorous and healthy growth, and will, in a few years, furnish an abundance 
of wood lor fuel, and some for building purposes. 

In the mean time Cue! can be procured by using the few mesquite bushes that grow 
in tin: vicinity of the farms. 



15 



There is a dam, a mill-race, and mill-building, but no machinery in the mill. This 
should at once be properly supplied and worked, as the distance to settlements where 
a mill is situated is very great. 

ROADS. 

There are three roads by which the settlement on the reservation is approached— 
one from the Hualapai mining district on the south, crossing the Colorado Eiver at the 
mouth of the Rio Virgen, another from Saint George on the east, anil another from 
Pioche on the north. All these roads are very bad, making it expensive to transport 
the necessary supplies and material for the reservation from the settlements where 
they can be procured. One of the roads, probably the one from the agency to Pioche, 
should be put in good order at once. 

WHITE SETTLERS. 

At the time this reservation was set apart by Executive order there were a number 
of families settled in the valley, and they still remain for the purpose of holding their 
claims. They occupy the best lands and control much of the water which is needed 
for the reservation, and it was only by their sufferance that the Indians were able to 
plant a crop this fall. It will not be possible for the Indians to proceed with any ex- 
tensive fanning until these people are removed. 

There is danger of other troubles arising also, from their presence on the reservation, 
as there is a constant conflict between them and the Indians, which becomes more bitter 
daily, and, as the number of Indians is increased, it is liable to result iu disastrous 
consequences. 

IMPROVEMENTS MADE BY FORMER SKTTLERS. 

Early in the year 1865 a number of people from Utah settled in the valley of the 
Mo'-a-pa. Others followed rapidly and four towns were established, Saint Thomas, 
Saint Joseph, Overton, and West Point ; and the number increased until it was claimed 
that there were more thau two thousand people iu the valley. These people made ex- 
tensive and valuable improvements. An extensive system of irrigatiug-cauals was 
constructed so as to utilize all the water of the Mo'-a-pa. 

As the country was destitute of timber, cottouwoods were planted along these 
water-courses. Much labor was also expended on the opening of roads. 

When these people came into the valley it was supposed by them that they were 
settling iu the Territory of Arizona, but when the liues separating Utah, Arizona, and 
Nevada were run by Government surveyors the valley was found to bo within the 
jurisdiction of the State of Nevada. Thereupon the inhabitants of the valley aban- 
doned their homes and returned to Utah. 

When they 1< ft, other settlers came iu and located claims in the most valuable parts 
of the valley, under the laws of Nevada enacted for the purpose of securing possessory 
rights. 

The houses erected by the original settlers were built of adobes, usually covered 
with tules or earth, and being of perishable material, they, with some exceptions, 
have gone to ruin. These exceptions are the few houses which the present inhabitants 
have occupied and preserved. These people have also kept up only a part of the orig- 
inal canals, constructing some new water-ways, and adapting them to their present 
wants. 

To utilize the valley as a reservation for the number of Indians which it is proposed 
to assemble here, it will be necessary to repair the original canals and drain certain 
swamps which were only partially drained by the first inhabitants. This can be done 
with a saving to the Government of probably more than a hundred thousand dollars, 
in comparison with the original cost of the work. 

The land has never been surveyed by the Government, and the original owners lost 
their possessory rights by abandonment. The present settlers have acquired possessory 
rights, uot to the whole valley with all its original improvements, but only to such 
parts as are covered by their several claims. It would be impossible for the original 
owners to acquire possession of the valley again without purchasing the rights of the 
present owners. They could yet obtain possession of the unoccupied portions of the 
valley, but this would not be suited to their communal organization, and it is be- 
lieved that they do not desire to return, under any circumstances. 

SPECIAL REPORT. 

The rights of the present settlers are more fully set forth iu the special report, of 
which mention has been made. 

THE PAI UTES SHOULD BE MADE FARMERS. 

From the foregoing it will be seeu that the valley of the Mo'-a-pa is well adapted to 
agriculture, and that a system of canals is already constructed. The Indians them- 



16 

selves are willing to work and anxious to cultivate the soil. Altogether the circum- 
stances are very favorable to the project of making farmers of the Pai Utes, and thus 
enabling them to become self-sustaining, and converting them from vicious, danger- 
ous .savages to civilized people. 

UTES. 

There are seven tribes constituting the Utes of Utah, organized into a confederacy 
under the chieftaincy of Tav'-wi, (Tab-bi.) The total number of these Indians is 556. 

By official const ruction they are on the reservation in the valley of the Uintah, while 
in fact but a small part of them remain there, the greater number assembling there 
from time to time to receive supplies of clothing, &c. 

For a number of years the Seuv'-a-rits, numbering 144, have refused to goto the 
reservation as a tribe ; but occasionally individuals have appeared there, allured by 
the annual distributions. Late iu the past summer the entire tribe went to the reser- 
vation and signified their intention of remaining there and becoming farmers, if they 
could receive the necessary assistance. Since the installment of a chief named Nu- 
intSj known to the white man as Black Hawk, this tribe has been the terror of the set- 
tlers. Sometimes they have been joined iu their depredations by Utes from beyond 
the Colorado River, hut oftener by the Navajoes. Great numbers of horses and cattle 
have been driven away from the settlements, often in droves of hundreds, and at one 
time, when they w T ere in league with the Navajoes, all of the settlements in the Sevier 
Valley and many in the San Pete Valley were broken up, and eight or ten thonsaud 
white people were driven from their homes. But their great chief. Nu'-ints, is dead, 
and his lieutenant and successor, Un-ka'-na-vo'-run, died in great distress early in the 
winter of 1872-73. Early in the last summer a terrible scourge swept off great num- 
bers of this tribe, until but 144 remain, and these, terrified and humble, sue for peace 
and promise to work. 

THE UTE AGENCY REMOVED FROM SPANISH FORK TO UINTAH VALLEY. 

Soon after the organization of the Territory of Utah, theUte Indians inhabiting that 
part of the country embraced within the Territory were assigned by the superintend- 
ent of Iudiau affairs on duty there, and the agents acting under him, to small reserva- 
tions or farms, and were encouraged to cultivate the soil, some at the valley of the 
Uintah, others at Arrapene, in the valley of the San Pete, others at Corn Creek, near 
Fillmore, hut the greater number at Spanish Fork, on the shore of Utah Lake. At 
this last place agency-buildings were erected and farming was conducted on an exten- 
sive scale. Subsequently these Indians were more or less neglected, and the improve- 
ments made at Spanish Fork were destroyed. In the year 1865 a treaty was made with 
these Indians, under which it was stipulated that they should all go to the reservation 
in the valley of the Uintah and give up their right to the other little farms of which 
mention is made above. 

On the part of the United States it was agreed that they should be established as 
herdsmen and farmers, with mills and schools, and many other provisions for their 
benefit. This treaty was never ratified by the Senate, but the Indians themselves sup- 
posing it to be a valid agreement from the time it was signed by them, have, so far as 
it has been possible for them, conformed to its provisions. The Government, on its 
part, through not recognizing the treaty, still give the Indians a liberal supply of 
clothing, and other articles for domestic use, hut it has never made any adequate provi- 
sion for their support and establishment as agriculturists. 

CANNOT BE KEPT ON THE RESERVATION. 

In their association with the white settlers in the valleys of Utah, many difficulties 
have arisen from time to time, and frequent complaints have come up to the, Indian 
1 department at Washington against these Indians, on the ground that they would not 
remain on the reservation. But it has not been possible for them to remain ; they have 
been compelled to go elsewhere to obtain a living. 

In the summer of 1872 the greater number of these Indians appeared in the settle- 
ments about I lie shore of Utah Luke and in San Pete Valley, causing some alarm to the 
people. A special Indian agent and a number of Army officers met them in council 
soon after lor the purpose of inducing them to return to the reservation. When told 
that they would be forced to go back, they openly defied the authorities, and challenged 
Bonie of the officers who were present to light. When afterward informed that they 
would be furnished with food on f,he agency, that herds of cattle and loads of flour 
should be immediately taken there, they agreed to go, and some of these Indians have 
this summer told the commission that, at that time, they had determined to fight 
rather than stay on the reservation and starve, lor they feared hunger more than they 
did the soldiers. Under the existing state of facts, it is unreasonable to expect these 
Indians to remain on the reservation. 



17 

WHAT MIST BE DONE TO KEEP THEM ON THE RESERVATION. 

They must be taught to farm, and, in the rueau time, supported, to enable them to 
abandon their nomadic habits. 

Already a number of the Indians have been induced to cultivate little patches of 
ground, and if a proper provision could be made to carry on this work for a very few- 
years, they would become self-supporting. 

They should also have houses built. As long as an Indian has a tent he can move 
his home from time to time at will, but induce him to live in a cabin and his home is 
fixed. A number of these Utes informed your commissioners that they desired to have 
houses, aud their ageut, Mr. Critchelow, confirms this. 

Many of the better class of Indians are accumulating some property in cattle. Two 
or three have as many as fifty head each, and it is very noticeable that those who have 
property appreciate the rights of property and are advocates of peace and honesty. 
The valley of the Uintah is admirably adapted to stock-raising. The change from 
hunters to stock-raisers is not a violent step, and would be in the right direction. 

NEED OF A GOOD ROAD TO THE UINTAH VALLEY. 

One of the serious difficulties on this agency is the want of a good road by which to 
reach the settlements. Supplies are now hauled over the Uintah Mountains, crossing 
difficult and rapid streams again aud again, and the road is traveled with much labor 
and great expense. A road can be made from the ageucy to Green River Station, or to 
some point farther to the east, at less cost than to build a road over the Wasatch 
Mountains to Salt Lake City, the road now traveled. And there would be other 
advantages, in that the road to the northeast could be used in winter aud the distance 
to the railroad shorter. 

PAH-VANTS. 

The Pah-vants, under the chieftaincy of Kanosh, number 134. They speak the same 
language as the Utes of Uintah Valley, socially affiliate with them, are intermarried 
with them, and sometimes join them in their hunting excursions. They should be 
taken to the reservation at Uintah, their number being too small to warrant the estab- 
lishment of a separate reservation for their benefit. 

They have shown themselves somewhat averse to removing to that place, but through 
Kanosh, their chief, have finally agreed that if the President of the United States insists 
on their going, and will assist them to become farmers, they are willing to try what 
can be done. 

Kanosh is a man of ability. He lives in a house which was built for him by a former 
superintendent of Indian affairs for Utah, and, in part, adopts the habits of civilized 
life; but his people live chiefly by gathering seeds, hunting, and begging, though they 
raise a little wheat and corn. 

This year they cultivated about thirty acres of wheat, which yielded a very poor 
harvest. 

No Indians in all the territory visited by your commission have, in past years, re- 
ceived one-quarter of the amount of goods, in proportion to their numbers, as the Pah- 
vants, and this generous treatment on the part of the Government has added to the in- 
fluence of Kanosh, for he has thus proved to the surrounding tribes his ability to influ- 
ence the Government officials, and he is their admiration and envy ; and they have 
learned to consult him, to a great extent, concerning all their dealings with the officers 
of the Indian Department. 

There ai'e circumstances connected with his relation to the Mormon Church that may 
lead him to refuse to go. In such a case he should be compelled with any force that 
may be necessary. 

Before such a "course is taken, the Government should provide the means by which 
such removal would accrue to the benefit of him and his people. 

GO-SI UTES. 

The Go-si Utes number 460. They inhabit a district of country west of Utah Lake" 
and Great Salt Lake, on the line between Utah and Nevada, a part being in the Terri- 
tory and a part in the State. 

These Indians are organized into a confederacy, under the chieftaincy of Pi-an- 
nump. 

More than any other Indians visited by the commission, these Go-si Utes are culti- 
vating the soil and working for white men. Pi-au'-nump, who is a brother of Kanosh, 
chief of the Pah-vants, is proud to claim that he earns his own living. Scorning to 
beg, he is willing to work, and while he is not able to induce all his Indians to take the 
same course, yet his influence is entirely for good. 

His people are scattered in very small bands, cultivating the soil about little springs 

•) p T 
-ill 



18 

here and there, aod from year to year compelled to give up their farms as they are 
Beized by white men. They are all anxious to obtain permanent homes, and are willing 
to go wherever the President will direct, if they can only thus secure land and make a 
Btart as farmers. 

The Go-si Utes speak a language much more nearly allied to the Northwestern Sho- 
shones than the Utes, though the greater number of them affiliate with the Utes, and 
are intermarried with them. 

The greater part of them would prefer to go to Uintah, but a few, on account of mar- 
riage-ties, desire to go with the Shoshones. It would probably be well to give them, 
this choice. 

The Utes of Utah number 556, the Pah-van ts 134, and the Go-si Utes of Utah and 
Nevada, 460, making a total of 1,150 Indians, who should be collected on the reservation 
at Uintah. 

THE SMALL RESERVATIONS AT SAN PETE, CORN CREEK, SPANISH FORK, 
AND DEEP CREEK. 

Previous to the advent of white men in Utah, the Indians were raising corn, squashes, 
and other grains, and vegetables. Among the tracts of land thus cultivated, there were 
four remarkable for their extent, one iu a little valley along a stream, tributary to the 
San Pete, now known as Twelve-mile Creek, another at Corn Creek, near Fillmore, a 
third at Spanish Fork, on the shore of Utah Lake, and a fourth at Deep Creek, near 
the Nevada line. At the time when Brigham Youug was governor of the Territory and 
cx-officio superintendent of Indian Affairs, the Indians were encouraged to continue 
their farming at these places, and were told that the lands would not be taken from 
them. But communal towns were planted near by, and the Indians engaged on the 
farms were put under the charge of the bishops of these towns. During the adminis- 
tration of subsequent officials, buildiugs were erected at Spanish Fork and a proper 
agency established there by authority of Congress. For a number of years no definite 
boundaries were given to the Indian farms, or reservations as they came to be styled, 
hut in order to prevent white persons from diverting the water to other lauds, at last, 
certain natural boundaries were designated iu such a manner as to secure the water- 
rights. 

The number of Indians at the so-called reservations was always very small, and 
when the matter was more thoroughly understood by the Department at Washington, 
it was not deemed wise to encourage the Indians to remain on them, but a treaty was 
made by which they agreed to unite in the valley of the Uiutah, on the eastern side of 
the Wasatch Mountains. (Mention of this treaty has been made above.) 

Some time after the signing of this treaty by the Indians the superintendent of 
Indian affairs for Utah recommended the sale of the old Indian farms, and that the 
proceeds of such sale should accrue to the benefit of the Indians. It is necessary to a 
proper understanding of the matter to remember that these reservations were never 
established by law, or by Executive order, so that up to this time they had no legal 
status as reservations, but an act of Congress approved May 5, 1864, entitled "An act 
to vacate and sell the present Indian reservations in Utah, and to settle the Indians of 
said Territory iu Uintah Valley," provides " * * That the Secretary of the Interior 
be, and is hereby, authorized and required to cause the several Indian reservations 
heretofore made, or occupied as such, in the Territory of Utah to be surveyed and 
sold." And it still further provides that the proceeds of the sales should be used for 
the benefit of the Indians. ( Vide U. S. Statutes at Large, vol. 13, p. 63.) 

This is the first legal recognition of said reservations, but when the surveyor-general 
of ( lolorado Territory was instructed by the Secretary of the Interior to cause the sur- 
vey of said reservations, neither the Land Office nor the Indian Department could de- 
tenu ine where such reservations were situated, as no plat or record of any such reserva- 
tions could he found. Thereupon (he. Secretary of the Interior issued the following 
instructions: 

" Department of the Interior, 
" Washington, D. C, February 6, 1885. 
"Sir: I return herewith the papers submitted with your letter of the 16th ultimo, 
concerning the sale of Indian reservations in Utah. I also inclose- letter of the Com- 
missioner of the Land-Office of the 24th ultimo, and copy of a correspondence with 
that ( Ulice on the subject, and have to state, in relation to the abandoned reservations, 
that instructions he given to the superintendent of Indian Affairs to designate, as far 
as In- can ascertain, the extent of the tracts of country occupied by the Indians and 
recognized as their reservations ; and in so doing that Office may be directed to include 
all the arable lands of the valleys in which the reservations are situated, together a 
proper quantity of adjacenl timber-lands, for the convenience of the farming-lands, 
all to he laid off in small lots, and in such form for irrigation and settlement as to be 



19 

the most attractive and convenient for settlers. If it shall be found that the lands are 
of an unreasonable extent for the reservation, a portion can be withheld from sale 
upon an inspection of the plots of survey. 

•' Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" A. P. USHER, 

' Secretary. 
" Wm. P. Dole, Esq., 

" Commissioner of Indian Affairs." 

Under these instructions four tracts of land were surveyed and divided into lots. 
The Indian farm at San Pete was but a small tract of land at a point where a little 
stream issues from the mountain on which is situated the Indian town known as Arra- 
pene. The survey of the reservation here was made to include not only the original 
Indian farm, but was extended over a district of country twelve miles square, so as to 
include the town of Gunnison, with several hundred inhabitants and extensive im- 
provements. There is a map of this survey on file in the Laud Department. The 
Indian farm is there properly laid down on Twelve-Mile Creek, between the main 
range and an outlying mountain. The town of Gunnison is not laid down ou the map, 
but its situation is indicated by the ditch, mill-race, and saw-mill ou the north bank 
of the San Pete River, a few miles above its .junction with the Sevier. 

At Corn Creek also, not only the part of country embraced within the natural 
boundaries indicated by the superintendent of Indian affairs, as heretofore stated, 
was included in the survey, but it, also, was extended over a district of country twelve 
miles square, so as to include within its boundaries the towns of Petersburg, Meadow 
Creek and Corn Creek, and a number of outlying farms. 

Ou the map of the Corn Creek reservation, on file in the Laud Department, the 
situation of the Indian farm does not appear, and properly, for the surveyed land did 
not include it. The town of Petersburg is called on that map " Corn Creek settlement," 
and Meadow Creek settlement is indicated. 

At Spanish Fork the survey was made to include the original Indian farm, and also 
the farm of one white man. The interests of no other settlers were interfered with. 

Whether the survey at Deep Creek was made to include any lauds pre-occupied by 
white men, is not known to the commission. 

The commission made as thorough an examination into the facts concerning these 
reservations as it was possible for it to do without examining witnesses by legal meth- 
ods, but evidence of the correctness of the above statement can be found in the official 
records of the Indian Bureau, and such records have been carefully examined by the 
commission. 

In executing the provisions of the law these tracts of laud were valued by special 
commissions appointed by the then Secretary of the Interior, but the owners of the 
improvements which had been included iu the surveys protested against the sale of 
their property without just compensation to themselves. 

Thereupon the Secretary of the Interior caused an appraisal to be made of their im- 
provements. 

It has before been stated that these reservations had no legal status until the enact- 
ment of the law of 1864. The wording of that law, which recognizes certain reserva- 
tions in Utah, is as follows: 

" The several reservations heretofore made or occupied as such in the Territory of 
Utah. - ' It would seem a forced construction of this phraseology to hold that, under it, 
authority was given to survey and sell tracts of land which had never been used as 
such Indian reservations, but which had been settled upon by white men anterior to 
the passage of the law. It would seem that the law under consideration contemplated 
the sale of certain lands which had previously been reserved for the use of the Indians 
by the officers of the Indian Department on duty in Utah j that is, the farms which had 
been cultivated by the Indians, and such adjacent lauds, within certain natural bound- 
aries indicated above, as these officials had told the Indians would be kept for their 
use ; but lands which had been occupied by these white settlers prior to and during 
the administration of such officials could not properly be included under the provisions 
of this law. It would certainly be an injustice to sell these lauds without compensat- 
ing the owners for their improvements. But there are great areas of laud adjacent to 
these, equally as good, yet unsold and unoccupied, which these same settlers could 
obtain by occupation under the homestead laws, and the lands in question have no 
other value in the market than that given to them by the improvements. In the con- 
dition of affairs in Utah, where the towns have a communal organization virtually ex- 
cluding non-communal people, these improvements could be sold to none other than the 
people by whom they were made. 

If, then, an interpretation is given to this law to the effect that the Secretary of the 
Interior shall cause the sale of the lands occupied by these people, it simply amounts 
to this, that certain improvements shall be seized by the Government, and sold to the 
parties from whom they have been seized, and that the proceeds of such sales shall b^ 



20 

used to indemnify the people for the loss of the improvements seized by the Govern- 
ment. Such a course is manifestly absurd. 

In the meantime the people of the town of Gunnison, not having been removed from 
the lands, have steadily increased the value of their improvements, and other settle- 
ments have been made on San Pete River. The same statement would be true in 
respect to Corn Creek. No settlements proper have been made on the Spanish Fork 
reservation. Mines have been discovered in the vicinity of Peep Creek, and non- 
eommunal people have settled on all the best of the lauds within the boundaries of the 
so-called reservation. 

The several tribes of Indians to whom the farms at one time belonged now claim 
their original farms, and also these communal towns, thus greatly complicating the 
administration of Indian affairs in the Territory. It is greatly to be desired that the 
question should be settled at the earliest practicable day. The commission would 
therefore recommend the repeal of the law of 1864, which would place these tracts on 
the same looting as other Government lands — subject to " homestead entry." 

NORTHWESTERN SHOSHONES. 

A part of the Northwestern Shoshones under Po-ka-tel-lo and Tav'-i-wun-she'-a 
have already removed to reservations. Their wants will doubtless be properly repre- 
sented by their respective agents. 

There are yet two tribes united in a confederacy under the chieftancy of San-pits 
for whom provision should be made. At the last conference held with them this fall 
they signified their willingness to go on the reservation at Fort Hall provided its area 
be extended so as to include a certain valley to the southwest. 

One or two days before the Commission left the tield on its return to Washington an 
assistant was sent to accompany the chiefs of these tribes to the Fort Hall Reservation 
for the purpose of examining the country. Mr. Reed, the agent for that reservation, 
kindly consented to go with them, and to do all in his power to satisfy them of the 
good intention of the Government, and the desirability of that district of country for 
a reservation. Since the return of the Commission to Washington the following letter 
has been received. 

" Fort Hall Indian Agency, December 1, 1S73. 
"Dear Sir : I have the pleasure to say the Indians we saw as delegates reached here 

in due time, and after a day or two's rest we sent them on their journey except , 

who, with his wife, concluded to stop here over the winter. I was sick and sent head- 
farmer Baker, a man every way reliable and well acquainted with the country. They 
found a place which pleased them a few miles south of this, and up Bannock Creek 
found enough good land to satisfy them, all of which is on the reservation. They were 
so well pleased as of their own accord to abandon the journey to Goose Creek alto- 
gether. They say in the spring they will come in force prepared to have their houses 
and fixtures, and go to farming, &c. 
' Respectfully yours, 

" HENRY W. REED, 

'• United States Indian Agent. 
"G. W. Ingalls, Esq." 

It will thus be seen that all the Northwestern Shoshones have agreed to go on the 
reservation at Fort Hall, instigated by their desire to obtain land and under represen- 
tation that the Government would secure to them a permanent title to the same; and 
also provide for their immediate wants and aid them in learning to farm. These Indians 
have not of late years cultivated the soil, are good hunters, wellmouuted and nomadic 
in their habits, but they state their desire to become farmers and herdsmen. 

WESTERN SHOSHONES. 

The Western Shoshones number 1,945 and are divided into thirty-one tribes. They 
inhabit Southeastern Oregou, Southwestern Idaho, and Central Nevada. Of these 
tribes not more than one-fourth took part in the treaty of October 1, 18(33, made at 
Ruby Valley in Nevada. The tribes living to the south and west were not present or 
represented in any manner. Under that treaty it was stipulated that the Western 
Shoshones could be called to a reservation at the will of the Pesident, and that 
these tribes should receive annuities to the amount of $5,000 for a term of twenty years. 
Only the northern tribes, who took part in the treaty, have received the benefit of this 
stipulation. The southern and western tribes, having taken no part in the treaty, 
have received no part of the annuities, and consider that they are under no obligations 
to tin General Government, and exhibit some reluctance to their proposed removal to 
a reservation. The northern tribes, who did take part in the treaty, would prefer to 



21 

remain where they now are. if lands could be given them in the several districts, hut 
when informed that such a course could not be taken and explanations were given to 
them of the reason therefor, they expressed a willingness to settle on the Shoshone 
River, to the north, within the limits or adjacent to the reservation at Fort Hall, pro- 
vided it should be found, on examination, to contain sufficient agricultural lands to 
meet their wants. 

Delegates from some of the northern tribes visited the Fort Hall Reservation at the 
suggestion ot the commission, and expressed their entire satisfaction with that dis- 
trict of country, but a part of these northern tribes and all of the southern tribes were 
unrepresented in this delegation. It is helieved that there will he no difficulty in in- 
ducing all the northern tribes of Indians to remove. A little more time aiid more 
thorough explanation is needed to induce the southern tribes to consent to a removal, 
but it is believed that eventually their consent can he obtained. 

The condition of these Indians does not differ materially from that of the Pai-Utes 
and Go-si Utes which have been heretofore mentioned, though it should be stated that 
the more southern tribes are in an exceedingly demoralized state ; they prowl about 
the mining-camps, begging and pilfering, the women prostituting themselves to the 
lust of the lower class of men. There are no Indians in all the territory visited by 
your commission, whose removal is so imperatively demanded by considerations of 
justice and humanity, as these Shoshones of Nevada. 

THE FORT HALL RESERVATION. 

In a communication to the Department, made by the commission in June last, and 
which is embodied in this report, a general statement was made concerning the value 
of the district of country within the boundaries of this reservation. It is necessary 
only to repeat the statement that the reservation is quite sufficient and the country 
well adapted for the purposes for which it was set apart. On the reservation there are 
some good buildings, a saw-mill, grist-mill, and shingle-machine. Some farming has 
been carried on, chietly by the employment of Indian labor. It is reported that there 
are 1,037 Indians on the reservation at least a part of the year. To the northwest, on 
the Salmon River, there are a number of tribes, numbering altogether about 500. These 
tribes were visited during the past year by the special commission, of which the Hon. 
J. P. C. Shanks was chairman, and it is proposed by that commission that these Indians 
also be brought to the reservation at Fort Hall. The total number of Indians thus to 
be collected on the reservation is 3,882, viz : 1,037 already on the reservation, 500 of 
the Salmon River tribes, 400 of the Northwestern Shoshones, and 1,945 of the West- 
ern Shoshones. 

THE PA-VI-O'-TSOES OR PAH-UTES. 

In the report of the agent of the Pa-vi-o'-tsoes belonging to the Walker River and 
Pyramid Lake reservations, these Indians are estimated to number S00. They seem to 
be making substantial progress in civilization, cultivating the soil to the extent of the 
facilities afforded on the reservations, and support themselves largely by fishing, selling 
the surplus products of the fisheries at good rates to the people of the railroad towns 
adjacent. There appears to be no reason to change the opinion expressed in the state- 
ment made last June that the Indians should be removed to some other place where they 
can become agriculturalists. Since that communication was made additional reasons for 
such a removal have appeared. It is probable that the Central Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany is entitled to a part of the land embraced within the reservation, under the grant 
made to it by Congress. If this should prove true, it would be necessary to purchase such 
lauds in order to secure these reservations for the use of the Indians, and when so pur- 
chased they would be entirely inadequate to their wants. Doubtless the Indians them- 
selves would raise very serious objections to the removal, but they are industrious, intelli- 
gent, manageable people, and it is believed that if the necessities for the removal 
were properly represented to them, and, in addition to this, they are given substantial 
evidence that good lands will be secured to them, and that they will receive valuable 
aid by being supplied with farming-implements, seeds, cattle, &c, they will event- 
ually consent to the removal. From the best information at the command of the com- 
mission, and after making diligent inquiries, it is believed that there are about 1,000 
Indians allied in language to these Pa-vi-o'-tsoes, yet distributed about Western Ne- 
vada and Northeastern California. 

During the past season the commission met many of the chiefs and principal men of 
these tribes. They, like the other Indians of Utah and Nevada, are anxious to obtain 
lands. Doubtless no great difficulty would be met in inducing them to go on a reser- 
vation ; but within the territory 'inhabited by them there are no unoccupied lands 
which could be secured for their use. To the north, on the Malheur River, there is a 
reservation of what is represented to be good land, well watered, and with abundance 
of timber. On this reservation there are about 500 Indians allied to these of Nevada 
and California. The commission deem it wise that an effort should be made to consol- 



22 

idate all these Indians, namely, the Indians already on the Malheur Reservation, the 
uncollected tribes in Western Nevada and Northeastern California, and the Indians 
who belong to the Walker River and Pyramid Lake reservations. 
The total number of such Indians would be about 2,300. 

RECAPITULATION. 

The tribes whose condition has been thus briefly discussed, aud for whose disposi- 
tion recommendations have been made, are scattered over a great extent of territory, 
embracing the greater part of the region between the Rocky Mountains and the 
Sierras. The boundaries of this region may be indicated in a general way as follows : 
Beginning on the north line of Oregon where that line crosses the Sierras, and con- 
tinuing south along the crest of this range of mountains to Walker's Pass in Southern 
California, and from thence east to the southeast corner of Nevada ; and from thence 
northeast to the point where San Juan River crosses the northern line of Arizona ; and 
from thence east along this line to the southeast corner of Utah ; and from thence 
north along the eastern line of Utah and beyond the line of Utah to the Wind River 
Mountains ; and from thence in a northwesterly direction along the Wind River Moun- 
tains and the mountains which separate Montana from Idaho to a point directly east 
of the northern line of Oregon, and from that point to the place of beginning. The 
region of country thus described embraces the greater part of Idaho, nearly two-thirds 
of Oregon, nearly one-fourth of California, the entire State of Nevada, and the Terri- 
tory of Utah, one-fifth of Arizona, and one-sixth of Wyoming, and contains about 
420,000 square miles. 

Within the territory thus described there are two small reservations, of which no 
mention has been made in this report, on the eastern slope of the Sierras in Oregon. 
The Indians who belong to these reservations originally occupied the country west of 
the Sierras, and do not belong to the great family of tribes we have been discussing. 
The Shoshoues*and Bannocks, of the Wind River Reservation, are without the bound- 
aries of the country described, but they belong to the same family of tribes. 

The same is true with regard to the tribes of Utes which belong to the great reserva- 
tion in Western Colorado; and the Coraauches of Texas are also a brauch of this peo- 
ple. The Indians who inhabit this great district of country are estimated to number 
nearly 27,000, in the last annual report of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The facts 
which we have collected show that there are not more than 9,359 ; aud adding to this 
300 Chem-a-hue-vis, belonging to the same race that live to the south of the district 
described, we have 9,659. 

It is proposed to collect all the Pai-Utes of Southern Nevada, Southeastern California, 
Northwestern Arizona, and Southern Utah, together with the Chem-a-hne-vis of South- 
eastern California, on the Mo'-a-pa reservation, in Southern Nevada. The total num- 
ber of these Indians is 2,327. 

It is proposed to collect the Utes of Utah, the Pah vants of Utah, and the Go-si Utes 
of Utah and Northeastern Nevada on the Uintah reservation. The total number of 
these Indians is 1,150. 

It is proposed to collect the Bannocks and Shoshoues at Fort Hall ; the Sho- 
shone tribes of Salmon River, the Northwestern Shoshones of Southern Idaho and 
Northern Utah, and the Western Shoshones of Central Nevada, Southwestern Idaho, 
and Southeastern Oregon, on the reservation at Fort Hall. The total number of these 
Indians is 3,882. 

It is proposed to collect the Pah-Utes, Shoshones, &c, who are already on the 
Malheur reservation, the Pah-Utes or Pa-vi-o'-tsoes, who are now ou the reservation at 
Pyramid Lake and Walker River, and the uncollected tribes of Western Nevada and 
Nortbeastern California, on the leservation at Malheur River. The total number of 
these Indians is 2,300. 

Ou the accompanying map, being a part of the map of the United States and Terri- 
tories compiled in the General Laud-Office, the several districts of country inhabited 
by the tribes included in this report are indicated by colors numbered to correspond 
with a tabular statement. The Indians inhabiting the districts colored with carmine 
arc Pai-Utes, and the reservation recommended for them is of the same color, bordered 
with black. The brown colors indicate the tribes which should be collected at the 
Uintah reservation. This reservation is also colored brown, bordered with black. 

The yellow colors indicate tribes which should go to the Fort Hall reservation, which 
is also colored yellow, bordered with black. 

The Indians thai should bo collected at the Malheur reservation inhabit the region 
of country included within green lines, and the Malheur reservation is colored green, 
with black border. 

Embraced within the boundaries of the four reservations there are about ten thou- 
sand square miles of land. Only a small portion of this land is tit for agricultural 
purposes, much of it being sandy desert and mountain waste. 

The district of country relieved of the presence of the Indians is about four hun- 
dred and ten thousand square miles. 



23 

GENERAL REMARKS. 

AH of the Indians who have been visited by the commission fully appreciate the 
hopelessness of contending against the Government of the. United States and the tide 
of civilization. 

They are broken into many small tribes, and their homes so interspersed among the 
settlements of -white men, that their power is entirely broken and no fear should be 
entertained of a general war with them. The time has passed when it was uecessary 
to buy peace. It only remains to decide what should be done with them for the relief 
of the white people from their petty depredations, and from the demoralizing influences 
accompanying the presence of savages in civilized communities, and also for the best 
interests of the Indians themselves. To give them a partial supply of clothing and a 
small amount of food annually, while they yet remain among the settlements, is to 
encourage them in idleness, and directly tends to establish them as a class of wan- 
dering beggars. If they are not to be collected on reservations they should no 
longer receive aid from the General Government, for every dollar given them in then- 
present condition is an injury. This must be understood in the light that it is no 
longer necessary to buy peace. Perhaps the Utes of the Uintah Valley should be ex- 
cepted from this statement, as they might thus be induced to join the Utes of Western 
Colorado who are yet unsubdued. 

Again, they cannot be collected on reservations and kept there without provision 
being made for their maintenance. To have them nominally on a reservation and ac- 
tually, the greater part of the year, wandering among the settlements, is of no advan- 
tage, but rather an injury, as the people, believing that they should remain on their 
reservations, and considering that they are violating their agreements with the Gov- 
ernment in wandering away, refuse to employ them and treat them with many indig- 
nities. And this consolidation of a number of tribes of Indians in one body makes 
them stronger, more independent, and more defiant than they would be if scattered 
about the country as small tribes. If, then, they are to be collected on reservations and 
held there by furnishing them with an adequate support, it is evident wisdom that they 
should be provided with the uecessary means and taught to work, that they may be- 
come self-supporting at the earliest possible day ; and it is urgently recommended'that 
steps be taken to secure this end, or that they be given over to their own resources and 
left to fight the battle of life for themselves. It is not pleasant to contemplate the 
effect and final result of this last-mentioned course. The Indian in his relations with 
the white man rarely associates with the better class, but finds his companions in the 
lowest and vilest of society — men whose object is to corrupt or plunder. He thus 
learns from the superior race everything that is bad, nothing that is good. His pres- 
ence in the settlement is a source of irritation and a cause of fear, especially among 
the better class of people. 

Such persons will not employ him, for they do not desire the presence of a half- 
naked, vicious savage in their families. 

Nor are the people of these communities willing to assume the trouble or expense of 
controlling the Indians by the ordinary agencies of local government, but are always 
ready to punish either real or supposed crimes by resort to arms. 

Such a course, together with the effects of crime and loathsome disease, must finally 
result in the annihilation of the race. 

By the other alternative, putting them on reservations and teaching them to labor, 
they must for a number of years be a heavy expense to the General Government, but 
it is believed that the burden would not be as great as that on the local governments 
if the Indians were left to themselves. It is very probable, also, that in the sequel it 
will be found cheaper for the General Government to collect them on reservations, for 
there is always serious danger of petty conflicts arising between the Indians and white 
men which will demand the interference of the General Government and entail some 
expense. The commission does not consider that a reservation should be looked upon 
in the light of a pen where a horde of savages are to be fed with flour and beef, to be 
supplied with blankets from the Government bounty, and to be furnished with paint and 
gew-gaws by the greed of traders, but that a reservation should be a school of indus- 
try and a home for these unfortunate people. In council with the Indians great care 
was taken not to implant in their minds the idea that the Government was willing to 
pay them for yielding lands which white men needed, and that as a recompense 
for such lands 'thev would be furnished with clothing and food, and thus enabled to 
live in idleness. The question was presented to the Indian something in this light : 
The white men take these lands and use them, and from the earth secure to themselves 
food, clothing, and manv other desirable things. Why should not the Indian do the 
same ? The Government of the United States is anxious for you to try. If you will 
unite and agree to become farmers, it will secure to you permanent titles to such lands 
as you need', and will give you the uecessary assistance to begin such a life, expecting 
that you will soon be able 'to take care of yourselves, as do white men and civilized 
Indians. 



24 

All thf tribes mentioned in this census table, and many others, have been visited by 
the commission, and frequent consultations held with them concerning the importance 
of their removing to reservations, and they have discussed it among themselves very 
fully. 

Care has been taken to secure common consultation among those tribes which should 
be united as represented in the plans above, and we doubt not that these questions 
will form the subject of many a night's council during the present winter; and if the 
suggestions made by the commission should be acted upon, it is to be hoped that next 
summer will find the great majority of these Indians prepared to move. 

SUGGESTIONS IN REGARD TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE RESERVATIONS. 

With a view of ultimately civilizing these Indians, the commission beg leave to make 
some suggestions concerning the management of reservations. 

First. All bounties given to the Indians should, so far as possible, be used to induce 
them to work. No able-bodied Indian should be either fed or clothed except in pay- 
ment for labor, even though such labor is expended iu providing for his own future 
wants. Of course these remarks apply ouly to those who form the subject of our re- 
port — those with whom it is no longer necessary to deal as public enemies, and with 
the understanding that they must be conciliated to prevent war. It has already been 
stated that such a course is unnecessary with these Indians. 

Second. They should not be provided with ready-made clothing. Substantial fabrics 
should be given them from which they can manufacture their own garments. Such a 
course was taken during the past year with the Pi-Utes, under the direction of the com- 
mission, and the result was very satisfactory. For illustration, on the Pi-Ute reserva- 
tion four hundred Indians received uncut cloth sufficient to make each man, woman, and 
child a suit of clothes. With these fabrics thread, needles, buttons, &c, were issued. 
The services of an intelligent, painstaking woman were secured to teach the woman 
how to cut and make garments for themselves and their families. Three weeks after 
the issue of this material the commission revisited the reservation and found these In- 
dians well clothed in garments of their own make. At first they complained bitterly 
that ready-made clothing was not furnished to them as it had been previously, but 
when we returned to the reservation it was found that they fully appreciated that the 
same money had been much more advantageously spent than on previous occasions. 

Where the Indians have received ready-made clothing for a number of years, the 
charge should not be made too violently, but a wise and firm agent could soon have 
all his Indians making their own clothing. 

Third. The Indians should not be furnished with tents; as long as they have tents 
they move about with great facility, and are thus encouraged to continue their nomadic 
life. As fast as possible houses should be built for them. Some of the Indians are 
already prepared for such a change, and greatly desire to live in houses. A few, espe- 
cially the older people, are prejudiced against such a course, and perhaps at first could 
not be induced to live iu them ; but such a change could be made gradually to the great 
advantage of the Indian, both for his health and comfort and for its civilizing influence. 

Fourth. Each Indian family should be supplied with a cow, to enable them to start 
iu the accumulation of property. The Indians now understand the value of domestic 
cattle, and are anxious to acquire this class of property, and a few of them have already 
made a beginning in this direction. Some have ten, twenty, thirty, and even fifty head, 
though these are exceptional cases, and it is interesting to notice that, as soon as an 
Indian acquires property, he more thoroughly appreciates the rights of property, and 
becomes an advocate of law and order. 

Fifth. In all this country the soil cannot be, cultivated without artificial irrigation, 
and under these conditions agricultural operations are too complicated for the Indian 
without careful superintendence. It will be impossible also to find a sufficient body 
of land in any one place for the necessary farms; they must be scattered many miles 
apart. There will, therefore, be needed on each reservation a number of farmers to give 
general direction to all such labor. 

Sixth. On each reservation there should be a blacksmith, carpenter, and a saddle and 
harness maker, and each of these mechanics should employ several Indian apprentices, 
and should consider that the most important part of his duty was to instruct such ap- 
prentices, and from time to time a shoemaker and other mechanics should be added to 
this number. 

Seventh. An efficient medical department should be organized on each reservation. 
A -real number of the diseases with which the Indian is plagued yield readily to medi- 
cal treatment, and by such a course many lives can bo saved and much suffering pre- 
vented. J'.ut there is another very important reason Cor the establishment of a medi- 
cal department. The magician or "medicine-man'' wields much influence,. and such 
influence is always had ; but in the presence of an intelligent physician it is soon lost. 
Eighth. It is unnecessary to mention the power which schools would have over the 
rising generation of Indians. Next to teaching them to work-, the most important 



25 

thing is to teach them the English language. Into their own language there is woven 
so much mythology and sorcery that a new one is needed in order to aid them in ad- 
vancing beyond their baneful superstitions; and the ideas and thoughts of civilized 
life cannot he communicated to them in their own tongues. 

THE RELATION OF THE ARMY TO THESE INDIANS. 

Your commission cannot refrain from expressing its opinion concerning the effect of 
the presence of soldiers among these Indians where they are no longer needed to keep 
them under subjection. They regard the presence of a soldier as a standing menace, 
and to them the very name of soldier is synonymous with all that is offensive and evil. 
To the soldier they attribute their social demoralization and the unmentionable dis- 
eases with which they are infested. Everywhere, as we traveled among these Indians, 
the question would be asked us, " If we go to a reservation will the Government place 
soldiers there?" And to such a removal two objections were invariably urged ; the 
first was, " We do not wish to desert the graves of our fathers," and the second, " We 
do not wish to give our women to the embrace of the soldiers." 

If the troops are not absolutely necessary in the country for the purpose of over- 
awing these Indians, or protecting them in their rights against the encroachments of 
■white men, it will be conceded that they should be removed. 

We have already expressed the opinion that they are not needed to prevent a gen- 
eral ^var, and we believe that they are not useful in securing justice between white 
men and Indians and between Indians and Indians. In war we deal with people as 
organized into nationalities, not as individuals. Some hungry Indian steals a beef, some 
tired Indian steals a horse, a vicious Indian commits a depredation, and Hies to the 
mountains. No effort is made to punish the real offender, but the first Indian met is 
shot at sight. Then, perhaps, the Indians retaliate, and the news is spread through the 
country that war has broken out with the Indians. Troops are sent to the district and 
wander around among the mountains and return. Perhaps a few Indians are killed, 
and perhaps a few white men. Usually in all such cases the white man is the chief 
sufterer, for he has property which can be spoiled, and the Indian has none that he can- 
not easily hide in the rocks. His methods of warfare are such that we cannot cope 
with him without resorting to means which are repugnaut to civilized people ; and, 
after spending thousands, or even millions of dollars, on an affair which, at its incep- 
tion, was but a petty larceny, we make a peace with the Indians, and enter into an 
agreement to secure him lauds, which we cannot fulfill, and to give him annuities, the 
expense of which are a burden on the public Treasury. 

This treatment of the Indians as nations or tribes is in every way bad. Now, the 
most vicious Indian in any tribe has it in his power, at any moment that he may de- 
sire, to practically declare war between bis own tribe, and perhaps a dozen surround- 
ing tribes, and the Government of the United States. 

What now is needed with all these subdued Indians is, some method by which indi- 
vidual criminals can be arrested and brought to justice. This cannot be done by the 
methods of war. As long as the Indians are scattered amoug the settlements the facts 
show that this cannot be done. The Indian has no knowledge of legal methods, and 
avenges his own wrongs by ways which are traditional with him, while the prejudices 
against savages whiah has grown through centuries of treacherous and bloody war- 
fare, and the prejudices of race, which are always greatly exaggerated among the 
lower class of people, with whom the Indian is most liable to associate, are such that 
the Indian cannot secure justice through the intervention of the local authorities. 

There is now no great uninhabited and unknown region to which the Indian can be 
sent. He is among us, and we must either protect him or destroy him. The only 
course left by which these Indians can be saved is to gather them on reservations, 
which shall be schools of industry and civilization, and the superintendents of which 
shall be the proper officers to secure justice betweeu the two races, and between indi- 
viduals of the Indian race. For this purpose on each reservation there should be a 
number of wise, firm men, who, as judges and police officers, would be able in all ordi- 
nary cases to secure substantial justice. In extraordinary cases no hasty steps should 
be taken. Surprises and massacres need no longer be feared, and if a larger force is 
needed than that wielded by the employes on the reservations, it would be easy to 
increase it by civil methods. 

For this purpose laws should be enacted clearly defining the rights of the Indians 
and white men in their mutual relations, and the power of the officers of the Indian 
Department, and the methods of procedure to secure justice. It might possibly bo 
unwise to withdraw all the troops at once. It might be better to remove them part 
passu with the establishment of the Indians on reservations. 

Permit the remark just here, that the expense of the military and civil methods 
stand in very glaring contrast. Within the territory which has heretofore been de- 
scribed it is probable that about two million dollars will be expended in the support 
of troops during the present fiscal year, and much less than two hundred thousand 



26 

dollars through the Indian Department for feeding, clothing, ami civilizing the In- 
dians. 

We beg leave again to mention that these remarks apply only to conquered tribes. 

There are some Indians in other portions of the United States, whom it is necessary 
to manage by other methods, who yet have the pride and insolence and treachery of 
savages. Hut by tar the greater part of the Indians scattered throughout the territory 
from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast are in a condition substantially the 
same as those who form the subject of this report. 



APPROPRIATIONS. 

ESTIMATES FOR APPROPRIATIONS SUBMITTED BY THE INDIAN BUREAU, THROUGH THE 
SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, FOR THE SUPPORT, ETC., OF THE INDIANS HERETO- 
FORE described, for the fiscal year ending june 30, 1875. (See letter from 
the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting estimates of appropriations on pages 
indicated.} 

91. One agent for the Malheur reservation $1, 500 

91. Two agents for the tribes in Nevada, viz: the Pi-Utes and Walker River 

and Pyramid Lake reservations, $1,500 each 3, 000 

91. One agent at Fort Hall reservation 1, 500 

91. One agent for the tribes in Utah, viz : Uintah Valley agency 1,500 

92. One interpreter, Malheur agency 500 

92. One interpreter, Fort Hall agency 500 

92. Three interpreters for the tribes in Nevada, viz : Pi-Utes, Walker River, 

and Pyramid Lake agencies, at $500 each 1 , 500 

92. One interpreter for the tribes in Utah 500 

104. Fulfilling treaties with Shoshouees, Eastern, Western, Northwestern, and 

Goship bauds 

104. Eastern bands 

104. Eleventh of twenty installments, to be expended under the direction of 
the President in the purchase of such articles as he may deem suitable to 
their wants, either as hunters or herdsmen, per fifth article treaty of July 

2, 1863 10, HOO 

104. Western bands 

104. Eleventh of twenty installments, to be expended under the direction of 
the President in the purchase of such articles as he may deem suitable to 
their wants, either as huuters or herdsmen, per seventh article treaty of 
October 1, 1863 5,000 

105. Northwestern bands 

105. Eleventh of twenty installments, to be expended under the direction of 

the President in the purchase of such articles as he may deem suitable to 
their wants, either as hunters or herdsmen, per third article treaty of July 
30, 1863 5,000 

105. Goship bands 

105. Eleventh of twenty installments, to be expended under the direction of 
the President in the purchase of such articles, including cattle for herding 
or other purposes, as he may deem suitable to their wants and condition as 
hunters and herdsmen . ... . 1, 000 

105 Fulfilling treaties with Slioshonee* and Bannocks. 

Bannocks : 

Fifth of thirty installments, to purchase four hundred suits of clothing for 
males over fourteen years of age, the flannel, hose, calico, and domestics for 
font hundred females over twelve years of age, and such flannel and cotton 
goods as may be needed to make suits for four hundred boys and girls under 
the ages named 6, 937 

Fifth oi ten installments, for purchase of such articles as maybe considered 
proper by the Secretary of the Interior, for eight hundred persons roaming, 
at ten dollars each, and four hundred persons engaged in agriculture, at 
twenty dollars each 16,000 

Pay of physician, teacher, carpenter, miller, engineer, farmer, and black- 
smith, as per tenth article treaty of July third, eighteen hundred and sixty- 
eighi 1 ... 6,800 

First of three installments, for the purchase of seeds and farming imple- 
ments, as per eighth article same treaty 2,500 

Transportation of g Is that may be purchased for the Shoshonees and 

Bannocks 5,000 



27 

105 Settlement, subsistence, and support of Shoshonecs and Bannocks and other 
bands of Idaho and Southeastern Oregon. 

This amount to be expended in such goods, provisions, or other articles as the 
President may from time to time determine, including transportation ; in in- 
structing iu agricultural pursuits; in providing employes, educating chil- 
dren, procuring medicine and medical attendance ; care for and support of 
the aged, sick, and infirm, for the helpless orphans of said Iudians, and in 
any other respect to promote their civilization, comfort, and improvement. . . $40, 000 

109 Incidental expenses of the Indian service in Idaho Territory. 

General incidental expenses of the Indian service iu Idaho Territory : presents 
of goods, agricultural implements, and other useful articles; and to assist 
them to locate in permanent abodes and sustain themselves by the pursuits 
of civilized life, to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the 
Interior, $20,000, one-half. 10, 000 

109 Incidental expenses of the Indian service in Nevada. 

General incidental expenses of the Indian service in Nevada ; presents of goods, 
agricultural implements, and other useful articles ; and to assist them to lo- 
cate in permanent abodes and sustain themselves by the pursuits of civilized 
life, to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior 50, 000 

110 Incidental expenses of the Indian service in Oregon. 

General incidental expenses of the Indian service in Oregon, including trans- 
portation of annuity goods and presents, (where no special provision is made 
therefor by treaty,) and for paying the expenses of the removal and subsist- 
ence of Indians in Oregon, (not parties to any treaties,) and for the pay of 
necessary employe's, $75, 000 ; of this amount 10,000 

110 Incidental expenses of the Indian service in Utah Territory. 

General incidental expenses of the Indian service in Utah Territory : presents 
of goods, agricultural implements, and other useful articles, and to assist them 
to locate in permanent abodes and sustain themselves by the pursuits of 
civilized life, including transportation and necessary expenses of delivering 
provisions to the Indians within the Utah superinteudeucy ; and for subsist- 
ence and clothing for Indians located upon the Uintah Valley reservation, 
Utah, to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior 50, 000 

110 Civilization and subsistence of Indians on the Malheur reservation. 

This amount, or so much thereof as may be necessary, in the purchase of goods, 
subsistence stores, &c, for the Indians collected on the Malheur reservation, 
Oregon, and in instructing them in agricultural and mechanical pursuits, 
providing employes, educating children, procuring medicine and medical 
attendance, care for and support of the aged, sick, and infirm; forthe help- 
less orphans of said Indians, or in any other respect to promote their civiliza- 
tion, comfort, and improvement 40, 000 

Total amount of these estimates 26S,737 



RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPROPRIATION'S. 
In lieu of the foregoing the following are submitted : 
For ihe Pai Vte reservation. 

For the employment of one agent, three farmers, one blacksmith, one carpen- 
ter, one saddle and harness maker, one miller, one teacher, and three general 
assistants ,*"'%"" * 1 ~' 9 °° 

For the purchase of teams, wagons, agricultural implements, seeds and tools, 

and supplies for the shops of the mechanics 8 > 00 ° 



28 

For tin' purchase of lumber and other material for the agency buildings $3,000 

For subsistence supplies 10 r 000 

For the purchase of a sufficient number of cows to give one to each Indian 

family 10,000 

For the purchase of fabrics for clothiug and other necessary articles for the In- 
dians 15,000 

For machinery and repairs on mill 5, 000 

For salary of surgeon, hospital steward, and medical supplies for hospital 5, 000 

For constructing wagon-road from the agency to such point as the Secretary 

of the Interior may direct 5, 000 

For the payment of freighting and traveling expenses 10, 000 

For collecting the Indians on the reservation and incidental expenses 12, 000 

For one interpreter 500 

Total amount of appropriation recommended for the Pai Ute reservation . 96, 400 

For the Uintah reservation. 

For the employment of one agent, one farmer, one blacksmith, one carpenter, 
one saddle and harness maker, one miller, one engineer, one teacher, and 

three general assistants $11,750 

For the purchase of teams, wagons, agricultural implements, seeds, tools, and 

supplies for the shops of the mechanics 10, 000 

For the erection of houses for the Indians 5, 000 

For subsistence supplies 10, 000 

For the purchase of a sufficient number of cows to give one to each Indian 

family 0,000 

For the purchase of ready-made clothing, and for fabrics for clothing, and other 

articles necessary for the Indians 8, 000 

For the salary of surgeon, hospital steward, and medical supplies for the hos- 
pital 5,000 

For constructing a wagon road from the agency to the railroad 10, 000 

For the payment of freighting and traveling expenses 5, 0()0 

For collecting the Indians on the reservation and incidental expenses 5, 000 

For one interpreter 500 

Total amount of appropriation recommended for the Uintah reservation. 76, 250 

For the Fort Hall reservation. 

For the employment of one agent, three farmers, one blacksmith, one carpen- 
ter, one saddle and harness maker, one engineer, one teacher, and three gen- 
eral assistants $14,100 

For the purchase of teams, wagons, agricultural implements, seeds, tools, and 

supplies for the shops of the mechanics 8, 000 

For the erection of buildings for the Indians 12, 000 

For subsistence supplies 12, 000 

For the purchase of a sufficient number of cows to give one to each Indian 

family 16,000 

For the purchase of ready-made clothing, and fabrics for clothing, and articles 

necessary for the Indians 18, 000 

For the salary of surgeon, hospital steward, and medical supplies for the hos- 
pital 5, 000 

For the payment of freighting and traveling expenses 8. 000 

For collecting the Indians on the reservation and incidental expenses 12, 000 

For one interpreter 500 

Total ammmt of appropriation recommended for Fort Hall reservation. 105,600 

For the Malheur reservation. 

For continuing the agency for the reservations at Pyramid Lake and Walker 
River until the crops now planted shall bo harvested, and for removing 
these Indians to the Malheur reservation $12, 000 

For the employment of one agent, three farmers, one blacksmith, one carpen- 
ter, one saddle and harness maker, one teacher, and three general assistants. 11,700 

I'M- the purchase of teams, wagons, agricultural implements, seeds and tools, 
and supplies lor the shops of the mechanics 10,000 

For the erection of buildings 10,000 

For subsistence supplies 12,000 



29 

For the purchase of a sufficient number of cows to give one to each Indian 

fomily $12 000 

For the purchase of ready-made clothing, and fabrics for clothing, and other 

necessary articles for the Indians _ 15 OOO 

For salary of surgeon, hospital steward, and medical supplies for "the hospital ." 5 'OOO 

For the payment ot freighting and traveling expenses 8 000 

For collecting the Indians on the reservation and incidental expenses. ..... " 8 000 

For one interpreter ' §qq 

Total amount of appropriations recommended for the Malheur reservation 104, 200 



ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE CLAIMS OF CERTAIN SETTLERS ON THE MO'-A-PA RESER- 
VATION. 

Isaac Jenuings ) 

J. S. Moffett.. S $7,500 

Thomas Belding i 

Chandler Belding > 4,250 

Lewis Seabright ) 

Daniel Bonelli 5 700 

Robert G. Patterson ) 

J. L. Lessell $ 6 > 200 

William Anderson 750 

Augustus James 750 

Abraham James 1 500 

Robert Logan 2 200 

John Bennett.. ) 

J.H. Ratcliff.... > 1 400 

(x. R. A. Percival ) 
Volney Rector... ) 
Peter L. Johnson I ■ -■ l- 800 

Total 32,050 

It is recommended that appropriations be asked to pay the above claims. 

These people already occupy much of the available land on this reservation, and have 
control of the water. It is absolutely necessary that they should be removed if the 
Indians are to be established as agriculturalists. 

A special report, giving in detail the character of these improvements, viz, the 
buildings, trees, orchards, vineyards, water-ways, &c, together with certified copies of 
the surveys which were made under the State laws of Nevada to secure these settlers 
in their possessory rights, and a map of the reservation showing the situation of each 
claim, will be submitted on the completion of the map. 

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS. 

It is recommended — 

First. That the act entitled "An act to vacate and sell the present Indian reservation 
in Utah Territory, and to settle the Indians of said Territory in the Uintah Valley," ap- 
proved May 5, 1864, (see U. S. Stats, at Large, vol. 1.3, p. 63,) be repealed, and that the 
lands to which it refers be thrown open to settlement in the usual way. (See previous re- 
marks ou " The small reservations at Sanpete, Corn Creek, Spanish Fork, and Deep 
Creek.") 

Second. That the boundaries of the Pai-Ute reservation be established as follows : 
Beginning at a point on the Colorado River of the West eight miles east of the one 
hundred and fourteenth meridian, and continuing from thence due north to the thirty- 
seventh, parallel of latitude; and continuing from thence due west along said thirty- 
seventh parallel of latitude to a point twenty miles west of the one hundred and 
iifteenth meridian ; and continuing from thence due south thirty-five miles ; and con 
tinuing from thence due east thirty-six miles ; and continuing from thence due south 
to the center of the channel of the Colorado River of the West ; and continuing from 
thence along said center of the channel of the Colorado River of the West to the point 
of beginning. (See previous remarks under the headings of "Reservations on the Mo'- 
a-pa " and " Timber.") 

Third. That an inspector, together with a competent engineer, employed for this 
purpose from the incidental funds of the several reservations, shall visit the reserva- 
tions at Uintah, Fort Hall, and ou the Malheur reservation, and, in company with the 
agent and some of the chiefs and principal men of the tribes belonging on such reser- 
vations, shall make a careful examination of the tenitory embraced within the reser- 



30 

vations and designate certain natural, or if need be artificial, boundaries for the same, 
and report such action to the Department, to be submitted to Congress for final ap- 
proval, 80 that the boundaries of such reservations may be accurately established by 
law. When the boundaries have been thus surveyed it would be well to have the 
reservations surveyed and divided into small tracts and topographical maps made of 
them. 

Fourth. That the agents for these reservations be authorized to promise the Indians 
that one cow will be given to each Indian family settling on these reservations an- 
nually for a term of two years subsequent to that in which the first issue of cattle is 
made. 

Fifth. Also that the agents for these reservations be authorized to promise the 
Indians that £10, 000 will be expended annually on the Mo'-a-pa reservation, $6,000 
annually on the Uintah reservation, $15,000 annually on the Fort Hall reservation, 
and $10,000 annually on the Malheur reservation for such a term of years as may be 
necessary to give each Indian family a house, to exceed in cost not more than $200 ; 
but that' such cost shall not include the labor bestowed upon the same by the Indian 
himself. 

Sixth. That should any of these Indians prefer to go to any other of these reserva- 
tions than that to which they have been assigned in the foregoing report, or to the 
reservation at Wind River, the Secretary of the Interior shall have the authority to 
transfer the proper proportion of these appropriations from the account of the reserva- 
tion to which it has been specially appropriated, to such reservation as the Indians 
may elect— provided the Secretary of the Interior shall approve of such election. 

PAFERS ACCOMPANYING THIS REPORT. 

First. A map of the Pi-Ute reservation in Southeastern Nevada. 

Second. A section of the " Map of the United States and Territories prepared in the 
General Land-Office," with the districts inhabited by the various tribes embraced in 
this report, colored so as to indicate the geographical distribution of the several tribes 
which should be collected on the reservations. 

Third. Report concerning the claims of settlers in the Mo-a-pa Valley, with copies of 
surveys, &c, marked A, B, C, and D, and photographs numbered 1, 2, 3. 

In our letter of instruction, we were directed to consult with Col. H. A. Morrow, com- 
mandant at Camp Douglas, in Utah Territory. 

While we were at Salt Lake City, completing plans for the operations of the summer, 
Colonel Morrow was confined to his room by severe sickness, and his physician thought 
it unwise for us to hold auy consultation with him, but we availed ourselves of his 
wise counsel to the limit of our opportunities. 

To many of the citizens of Utah and Nevada, we are indebted for information, advice, 
and assistance, and we are pleased here to state that we met everywhere with the most 
hearty co-operation from the better class of people. 

Invoking your attention to the facts herein set forth, and your consideration of the 
recommendations made, 

We are, with much respect vour obedient servants, 

J. W. POWELL, 
G. W. INGALLS, 

Special Commissioners. 



ol 



REPORT CONCERNING CLAIMS OF SETTLERS IN THE MO-A-PA VALLEY, 
(S. E. NEVADA,) BY SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS J. W. POWELL AND G. W. 
INGALLS. 

Washington, D. C, December 18, 1873. 
Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, ]>. C. : 

Sir : The following is a statement of the character and estimated value, of the claims 
of certain settlers in the valley of the Mo-a-pa or Muddy Creek within the territory set 
apart by Executive order, dated March 12, 1873, as a reservation for the Pi Utes of 
Southern Utah, Southern Nevada, Southeastern California, and Northwestern Arizona. 

CLAIM OF ISAAC JENNINGS AND J. S. MOFFETT. 



Amount of land claimed three hundred and twenty acres. The land origiually 
claimed by these parties was in two tracts, of oue hundred and sixty acres each, but a 
copartnership was formed by the said Isaac Jennings aud J. S. Moffett, and they now 
lay claim to three hundred and twenty acres as a company. 

Claim surveyed February 6 and 7, 1872, by C. W. Wandell, deputy surveyor of Lincoln 
County, State of Nevada, in accordance with the laws of Nevada, enacted for the pur- 
pose of securing possessory rights to Government land not having been surveyed by 
the General Government. 

(See accompanying paper marked A, " certified copy of surveys of Isaac Jennings.") 

WATER-WAYS. 

The greater part of these lauds are covered by irrigating canals, but only a portion 
of said canals have been kept in good order ; in some places they are partially destroyed, 
iu others totally. More than nine-tenths of this land has been under cultivation, but 
one-half of it has been neglected ; the other half is still in good order, and the ditches 
for irrigating the same are in repair. 

TREES. 

Several thousand cottonwood-trees have been planted beside the ditches, being from 
one to eight years old, and from twenty to sixty feet high ; thrifty. A small amount of 
garden shrubbery ; a small amount of hedging set for the purpose of subdividing a part 
of the laud into lots. 

VINEYARDS. 

Seven plats planted in vineyard, on which are two thousand good grape-vines from 
four to eight years old ; fifteen hundred second class of the same age, and one thousand 
third class, or nearly worthless, of the same age. 

MEADOW. 

Eighteen acres set in lucern, and eight acres partly set. 
BUILDINGS. 

Adobe house on stone foundation, covered with tules aud earth. Rooms all without 
ceilings. Rooms have been papered ; paper now damaged. Room used as post-office, 
10 by 14 ; parlor, 14 by 15; large bed-room, 14 by 15; low bed-room, 12 by 15; dining- 
room, lb" by 20 ; kitchen, 16 by 1(5; pantry, 8 by 14 ; wash-room, 8 by 14 ; room for store, 
(not covered,) 16 by 18; blacksmith-shop, 16 by 40; the walls are 13 feet high; sub- 
stantial floors are common ; casings to doors and windows plain ; doors plain ; outside 
cellar, 12 by 14 ; stone wails. Hen-house, 18 by 20, rudely built of adobes and covered 
with tules. Granary, with two rooms, each 12 by 16, covered with tules; without 
floor. Three small adobe stables. Large adobe corral. Sufficient stone hauled for a 
second corral. 

(See photograph "No. 1." 

Estimated value of this claim, #7,500. 

CLAIM OF THOS. BELDING, CHANDLER BELDING, AND LEWIS SEABRIGHT 

The amount of land within this claim is considerably less than one hundred and 
sixty (160) acres to each person, but the value of the claim, in the estimation of the. 
commissioners, is in no way affected by the amount of laud, as the adjacent lands are 
still unoccupied aud as the General Government has never yielded the title to any of 
the said lands. The value of the improvements and water-rights only are considered. 



32 

The lands tucluded within this claim were surveyed by the same officer and at the 
same time as those in tlie claims above, at least such information has been received by 
the commission, but no copy of such surveys has been received. 

About one hundred (100) acres has been under cultivation; now there are forty (40) 
:u ns iiml, t cultivation in good order and with irrigating canals in good repair. 

TREES. 
Several hundred cottonwood and other trees are setalougthe canals; they are from 
twenty to sixty feet high, good and thrifty. Small amount of well-cultivated garden- 
shrubbery. A small amount of hedging set tor the purpose of subdividing a part of 
the land into lots. 

VINEYARD. 

Twelve hundred grape-vines, four to six years old, in good order: eight hundred 
second-rate grape-vines; five hundred third-rate, or nearly worthless. 

BUILDINGS? 

Adobe house on stone foundation, covered with tules ; common door window and 
door frames and doors ; rooms without ceilings; walls twelve feet high, three rooms 
each. Id by Hi : small low back room used as kitchen. Hen-house. Small stable. Small 
corral made of poles. ( 

(See photograph •' No. 2.") ? 

FENCE. 

Thirty-nine panels of two-pole fence. Estimated value of this claim $4,250. 

CLAIM OF DANIEL BONELLI. 



One hundred and sixty (160) acres. Surveyed by C. W. Wandell, deputy county 
surveyor of Lincoln Couuty, State of Nevada, February 1 aud 2, 1872. (See accom- 
panying paper marked 13.) 

About one-fourth of the land has been prepared for cultivation, aud is covered with 
irrigating canals. Canals not in good repair. 

TKEES. 

A small amount of orchard-trees and garden-shrubbery. A good hedge, inclosing 
ten (10) acres, on two sides of osage orange; on one side of osage orange and cotton- 
wood trees intervening, and on the fourth side of mesqnite. Water-ways for ten (10) 
acres in good repair. 

VINEYARD. 

Four thousand grape-vines, in good order, from two to eight years old. Two thou- 
sand second-rate grape-vines of the same age, and two thousand three hundred and 
fifty third-rate grape-vines of the same age. 

The number of these grape-vines was determined by counting what were believed 
to be average rows. A greater number were claimed. (See accompanying paper 
marked C.) 

MEADOW. 

Three and one-half acres well set with lucern. 
HOLDINGS. 

Adobe house, stone foundation, covered with tules ; no ceilings ; walls thick ; twelve 
feet high ; in good order. Front part of house, outside measurement, 15 by 32 ; di- 
vided into two rooms ; double tire-place in partition. 

Back building, outside measurement, 17 by 27, divided into two rooms; one fire- 
place ; doors, doors, and casings for doors and windows, common cellar 12 by 14, seven 
feet high, with stone walls. 

House said to have cost $1,000. 

Small adobe hen-house. 

(See Photograph No. 3.) 

Estimated value of claim $5,700. 

CLAIM OF R. G. PATTERSON AND J. L. LASSELL. 

LAND. 

Two traits of land, each of one hundred and sixty acres, claimed by these parties; 
one known as the Mill ranch, the other as the Island ranch ; not surveyed. 
The patties themselves live at the Mill ranch, and the Island ranch is occupied by 

a tenant. 



33 

MILL RANCH. 

The greater part of this laud has at one time been under cultivation, and is covered 
with irrigating canals; but the greater part of these water-ways are not in good repair. 
About one-half of the land was cultivated dnriugthe past year. 

TREES. 

Trees have been planted extensively along the water-ways, and a grove of three or 
four acres has heeu started. 

Altogether there are from teu to fifteen thousand trees, from two to six years old, 
good and thrifty, chiefly cottouwood, but also several hundred small ash trees. 

A few orchard trees, not in good condition. 

A small amouut of hedging, in bad order. 

VINEYARD. 

Two thousand grape-vines in fair order ; fifteen hundred in second-rate order, and 
oue thousand, third-rate or nearly worthless. 

MEADOW. 

Six acres well set with lucern ; four acres partly set. 

ISLAND RANCH. 

The greater part of this land has been under cultivation at one time, and was cov- 
ered by irrigating canals; but these have been neglected, and are in bad order. 
More than half of the land has grown up with brush-wood and weeds. 

TREES. 

About two thousand cottouwood trees, from two to five years old ; thrifty. 

VINEYARD. 

One hundred and fifty grape-vines in second-rate order. Three hundred in third- 
i. it • - order; nearly worthless. 

MEADOW. 

Two acres set in lucern. 

BUILDINGS. 

Mill-house 20 by 24 ; common frame, inclosed with rough boards; two floors; com- 
mon basement ; room for cleaner; first floor 11-foot posts; low upper floor for bolt; 
frame-work for bolt at present in chamber ; building covered with thatched tules ; fam- 
ily living in mill-house. 

Adobe store-room attached to frame-building 20 by 45; stone foundation; walls 
heavj , but low ; no floor ; tule and dirt roof; mill-race, with small flume, in fair order. 

Estimated value of this claim, including both ranches, $6,200. 

CLAIM OF WILLIAM ANDERSON. 



One hundred and sixty acres not surveyed. Fifteen acres under plow, in good order ; 
twenty-live acres covered with irrigating canals ; purchased of R. G. Patterson. Prior 
to the erection of the house, said to have cost $200. 

BUILDINGS. 

Small adobe house, two rooms; no floor; roof of tules covered with dirt; house 
nearly new, but very cheaply built. 

Estimated value of this claim, $750. 

CLAIM OF AUGUSTUS JAMES. 

LAND. 

One hundred and sixty (160) acres, not surveyed. Twenty-five acres under plow 
and ditches. 

TREES. 

A few cottonwood trees ; nursery of several thousand small cottonwood and ash 
trees. 

3PI 



34 



VINEYARD. 
Three hundred second-rate grape-vines. 

BUILDINGS. 

Four small adobe buildings, in second-rate repair. 
Estimated value of this claim, $750. 

CLAIM OF ABRAHAM JAMES. 



One hundred and sixty (160) acres, said to have been surveyed. No copy of survey 
received. Purchased from Philander Brll. 

(See accompanying paper marked "D ", copy of deed in possession of said Abraham 
James.) 

Twenty acres under plow and ditches, which are slightly out of order; about one 
half of the land has been cultivated at sometime. 



Three hundred cottonwood trees, thrifty ; a few small orchard trees and garden 
shrubbery. 

BUILDINGS. 

Adobe house, 16 by 24 ; stone foundation, tule roof; floor, doors, and casings poor. 

First adobe granary, 12 by 26; stone foundation, tule roof ; adobe bins, good repair. 

Second adobe granary, 12 by 14; stone foundation, tule roof; lumber floor; adobe 
bins; in fair order. 

Adobe stable, 18 by 18, tule roof. Small adobe hen-house. Adobe building used as 
a threshing-room, 18 by 20 ; stone foundation, tule roof; adobe floor ; good order. 

Estimated value of claim, $1,500. 

CLAIM OF ROBERT LOGAN. 



One hundred and sixty (160) acres ; farm surveyed in the name of William Stewart, 
from whom said Robert Logan purchased the claim prior to the date of the executive 
order establishing the reservation. 

Thirty-five acres cultivated the past year, now in good order; water-ways for the 
same in good condition ; one hundred and tt-n acres originally under cultivation, but 
irrigating canals, for the additional amount above thirty-rive acres, need much repair. 



A few cottonwood trees; small amount of garden shrubbery. 

VINEYARD. 

Two hundred and twenty-five grape-vines, two years old, in fair order. 

MEADOW. 

One and a half acres, well set with lucern. 

BUILDINGS. 

Bouse consists of two adobe buildings, 20 by ?(), each separated by a passage-way 
tin feel wide; buildings and passage-way covered with good roof of tnle-tbatoh ; good 
stone foundation : common board floors, window and door-frames and doors ; all in 
fair order. 

Store-room, adobe, 20 by 20; very thick walls; adobe floor; well-built stone founda- 
tion ; tnli- roof, new. 

< low si able and granary, 18 by 40, adobe, covered with tules ; stone foundation ; well 
preserved. 

Two other buildings, each 20 by 20, adobe, covered with tules; stone foundation ; iu 
a lair state of pr< sr) vation. 

Estimated value, of claim, $2,200. 



35 

CLAIM OF JOHN BENNETT, J. H. RATLIFF, AND G. R. A. PERCIVAL. 



There are fo-ir hundred aud eighty (480) acres claimed by these parties, who live 
together in one house. Not surveyed ; fifty-five acres cultivated the past year, the same 
covered by water-ways in good repair; a larger amount of laud was cultivated prior to 
the a'andomneut of it by the former settlers. 

TREES. 

Eight thousand cotton wood-trees, having one year's growth from setting, planted 
along the water-ways; all thrifty; two hundred larger cotton woods, three to four 
years old. 

VINEYARD. 

Two hundred grape-vines, one and two years old, in fair order. 

MEADOW. 

Two acres well set with lucern. 

BUILDINGS. 

Small adobe house, 14 by 16, not in good order. 

This claim was purchased of Bell & Stewart prior to the issue of the Executive order 
establishing the reservation. 
Estimated value of claim, $1,400. 



CLAIM OF VOLNEY RECTOR AND PETER L. JOHNSON. 

LAND. 

One hundred and sixty (160) acres claimed. Both parties live in one house; seven 
acres under plow and ditch, but main ditch sufficient for a much larger amount of land ; 
the greater part of the land has at one time been under cultivation, but the original 
ditches have been abandoned, aud are in a great part destroyed. 

Nearly one-half of the laud is a natural meadow. 

TREES. 

From two to three thousand cotton wood-trees, planted last spring along the water- 
way s; good and thrifty. Overgrown nursery of many huudred cottouwood-trees. 

VINEYARD. 

A few huudred grape-cuttings planted last spring. 
BUILDINGS. 

House of adobe, 14 by 20, stone foundation, tnle roof; second-rate-order. 

Granary, lo by 12, rough stone. A quantity of stone sufficient for the erection of a 
small house hauled on the ground. 

Estimated value of this claim, $1,800. 

The commissioners alter caret ul inquiry are satisfied that the improvements on the 
above claims were made prior to the establishment of the reservation by Executive 
order, and with the expectation, on the part of those who made them, of remaining as 
settlers in the valley. 

Claim* considered of no value. 

CLAIM OF JOSEPH A. PARR1SH. 

One hundred and sixty (160) acres claimed; has plowed seven acres ; no other im- 
provemi nts of value. Came into the valley December 27, 187*2; was notified by one of 
the employes of the agency, when on his way to the valley, that it would probably be 
set apart as a reservation. 

CLAIM OF JACOB MOON. 

One hundred and sixty (160) acres claimed. No improvements. Cams into the valley 
February 8, 1873. He also was notified that the valley was intended for a reservation. 



36 



I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

lllllil 

010 738 281 I4 



CLAIM OF MARTHA C. TUCKER. 

(Daughter of Jacob Moon. See above.) 

Oue hundred and sixty acres claimed. Ten acres plowed ; improvements of 110 value 

CLAIM OF W. A. EARLES. 

One hundred and sixty (160) acres claimed ; no improvements. Settled in the valley 
during the month of January, 1873. States that he paid the Indians $30 for the land. 
Remained on the reservation three weeks, then abandoned his claim. 
These claims are considered by the commission to be of no value. 
With great respect, your obedient servants, 

J. W. POWELL, 
G. W. INGALLS, 

Special Commissioners. 



Conservation Resources 
Lig-Free® Type I 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



I! 



010 738 281 1 % 



